In this episode, Natalie Bonnick, Head of Supply Chain, Education, and Skills for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), shares how one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects is building more than just a road. Natalie talks about managing contractors, driving diversity and developing a skilled local workforce through LTC’s long-term education and employment initiatives.

She discusses the project’s ambitious goals to achieve 50% female representation and 27% ethnic minority participation, along with the practical challenges of funding, training, and site readiness. With dedicated skills hubs in Essex and Kent, LTC is providing free training, guaranteed job interviews and vital mental health support, helping local people gain skills and opportunities that will outlast the project itself.

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At DIIC – Diversity and Inclusion in Construction, our Director Faith Abudu sat down with Danica McLean, Group People Director at Vistry Group, for an insightful podcast conversation focused on people, pathways, and progression within the construction industry.

During the discussion, Danica shared valuable perspectives on:
 🔹 Career pathways into construction and how organisations can create clearer, more accessible routes
🔹 The wide range of opportunities available across the built environment, beyond traditional perceptions of construction roles
🔹 Salary expectations and remuneration, and why transparency and fairness are essential for attracting and retaining diverse talent

The conversation reinforced the importance of aligning people strategy with inclusion, ensuring individuals not only enter the industry but are supported to grow, progress, and thrive.

This episode reflects DIIC’s continued commitment to amplifying leadership voices that are shaping a more inclusive, sustainable future for construction.

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In this episode, at the Kent Construction Expo, we explore diversity and inclusion within the construction industry, with a particular focus on women and neurodivergent professionals. Connor, Managing Director of Digital Lookout, joins us to share his journey from software developer to leading a marketing agency that now works closely with construction businesses. He talks openly about his own transition from female to male, the realities faced by neurodivergent individuals, and why raising awareness is essential in a sector where an estimated 4–6% of the workforce is neurodivergent.

We also look at how the industry is changing, the role social media plays in that shift, and what businesses can do to create supportive, forward-thinking environments that help close the skills gap and improve day-to-day working practices.

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Culture isn't just a buzzword – it's structure for ambition.

This week on the podcast, Dr. Blessing Enakimio shares how the construction industry can evolve through better organisational culture. From her 5W framework (work, workforce, workplace, workflow, and what) to tackling woman-on-woman competition, Dr. Inakiel brings clarity, honesty and big-picture thinking.

We talk adaptability, inclusive leadership, and how emotional intelligence can shift a whole organisation.

Breaking Barriers in Construction: A Conversation with Rohit Malhotra 🚧

Ever wondered what it’s like to navigate the construction industry as a migrant, win national awards, and still push for positive change every day? In this exclusive interview, Mollie Gallagher of DIIC: Diversity and Inclusion in Construction sits down with Rohit Malhotra, a National Award-winning Construction Project Management professional at AtkinsRéalis, to discuss:

✅ His journey into construction and the challenges he faced along the way
✅ Solutions to attract and inspire the next generation into the built environment
✅ The importance of inclusion, leadership, and continuous improvement (“Kaizen”) in construction

With over 5 years of experience in major building, water, and complex infrastructure projects, Rohit shares invaluable insights from his personal journey and professional expertise that could shape the future of the industry.

🎧 Don’t miss this inspiring episode – a must-watch for anyone passionate about construction, diversity, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

#DIIC #DiversityInConstruction #WomenInConstruction #ConstructionLeadership #Inclusion #CareerJourney #BuiltEnvironment #SiteStoryPodcast

At London Build, Faith Abudu, Director of DIIC – Diversity and Inclusion in Construction, sat down with Dara Jafari, Project Management Director at MGAC, for a powerful and honest podcast conversation on the realities shaping leadership in construction today.

During the interview, Dara shared insightful perspectives on:
 🔹 The gender pay gap in construction
🔹 Project affordability, risk management, and effective delegation as a project management leader
🔹 Salary expectations and transparency within the industry
🔹 The reality that only around 5% of leadership roles in construction are held by women

A particularly important part of the discussion focused on the challenges women face when considering starting a family, and how workplace structures often make this journey far more difficult for women than for men. Dara spoke openly about the need for leadership accountability and cultural change to support equality, progression, and retention of women in the built environment.

These conversations reflect DIIC’s ongoing mission to move beyond awareness and into action-driven inclusion, creating space for honest dialogue and real solutions across the industry.

🎧 Watch the conversation and listen to the full episode

📅 DIIC Podcast – live every Wednesday on all platforms

🌐 Website: www.diic.org.uk

📸 Instagram: @diic_org.uk
🎥 TikTok: @diicconstruction
📸 Instagram fan page: @diicconstruction
📩 General enquiries: [email protected]

Let’s keep building an industry where talent, commitment, and hard work lead the way.

#DIIC #DIICPodcast #LondonBuild2025 #ConstructionLeadership #GenderPayGap #WomenInConstruction #BuiltEnvironment #DiversityAndInclusion

At London Build Expo 2025, Faith Abudu had the privilege of speaking with Yoshimi Douglas-Street, Operations Director at Mace, about her inspiring journey into construction and what real inclusion looks like in practice.

Yoshimi shared her pathway into the industry and transferable skills, her humble beginning from sport to painting and decorating to working her way up to the Operation Director of Mace. Highlighting apprenticeship as her preferred route into construction, a message that strongly aligns with DIIC Diversity and Inclusion In Construction mission to promote accessible, skills-based entry routes into the built environment.

Our conversation explored the ongoing construction skills shortage and why diversity and inclusion are not “nice to have”, but critical to the future of the industry with demand for skilled professionals continuing to rise, widening access to underrepresented talent has never been more important.

We’re excited to announce that the #DIICPodcast is now live every Wednesday on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts.

As we move into 2026, DIIC Diversity and Inclusion In Construction will be shining a light on true diversity and inclusion within the #construction industry, #Housing, #Engineering (the #Builtenvironment). 

Following our October event at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), we’re continuing the conversation with voices that matter.

This week’s episode features our discussion with Emily Wright MRICS formerly Robertson Chair of RICS Matrics UK, London & South East #Kent, exploring:

-Pathways into construction

-What true diversity and inclusion look like in the built environment

-Inclusion as a call to action, not just a conversation

-The Importance of awarding bodies like The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and RICS

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In this episode, Faith Abu Do sits down with Dean Halfpenny to explore the challenges and opportunities facing today’s construction industry. Dean shares his personal journey from a non-academic background to a thriving career in the trades, highlighting the value of practical skills, adaptability, and resilience. Together, they discuss the need for earlier vocational training, better support for neurodiverse workers, and strategies to attract younger generations into a physically demanding industry. The conversation also looks ahead to the impact of AI and the cultural shifts needed to improve the perception of trades and secure the sector’s future.

This episode features Sweena Badhan, Managing Director at Steel Homes Construction, who shares her inspiring journey from teaching to leading in the construction sector. She talks openly about the challenges of being a woman of colour in a male-dominated industry and the role of mentorship, diversity, and inclusion in breaking barriers.

Sweena also highlights her company’s use of innovative, sustainable cold-rolled steel methods to deliver buildings faster and more efficiently. She stresses why businesses should embed social value and mentoring into their operations and calls for early education and stronger links with universities to build a more inclusive, skilled workforce.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation on resilience, innovation, and the future of construction.