International Women’s Day 2023 - an interview with Angela Mansell

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to our MD, Angela Mansell. She has worked in construction for over 20 years and has a unique perspective as a female MD. She had the following to say about her experiences and what advice she would give to future generations of women in the industry.

Did you always want to work in construction?

“No, I went to Manchester Uni to study history and then I worked in the travel industry when I graduated. Unfortunately, that coincided with the terrible events of 9/11 and the travel industry became very precarious. I’d recently gotten married and had a mortgage, so needed more stability. It was at that point my dad said that maybe there was something in his business that I could do.”

In your 20-plus years of working in the sector, what changes have you seen for women?

“When I first started thinking of careers at school dad discouraged me from a career in construction.  He didn’t think construction was any place for women and that he could never see me working in the industry. It wasn’t from a sexist point of view or that he thought that women couldn’t work in the sector, but it was different then. In the 80s and 90s when he was starting the business, sites were very different as was the language used towards women. It would have been an uncomfortable place for me as a young woman to work so he was protecting me.

“Things have changed. By the time I joined the family in the early noughties, there were more women in the sector and on-site, particularly female Quantity Surveyors. My dad could see it change and I could see more people who looked like me.

“Now we see women at all levels in the industry from site to the boardroom. Women who are not only passionate about the work they are doing but also about improving the sector even further to make it appealing to people who come after us.”

What do you think women offer this sector that’s different to men?

“Aside from boosting the industry workforce I genuinely think there are too many men in construction and this slows the pace of change. Women think differently and this can bring vital innovative thought to the table. Our emotional intelligence allows us to read the room, know when to listen, communicate effectively and work towards a compromise.

“There are commercial and brand benefits to having women in your workforce too. Work is not just won of cost anymore but what you look like as a business. It makes you an attractive business to work with if you are actively and not cynically being inclusive.”

What ways would you like to see the industry change to make it more appealing to girls and women?

“Construction is still viewed as a ‘boys club’ and not as accessible as other industries. So, the more women across the disciplines the better. It shows that there is room for us and that we are being successful.

“Women are often caregivers, for children or elders so the sector would be more attractive if we had better flexible working. It’s easier for the Mansell Building Solutions site teams and factory teams to get home to their families as we aim to work on a local basis but it’s hard for you to travel to sites further afield when you have people to look after.

“Also, the way relationships are built, and deals are done could change. Not everyone can go out for golf days or travel for drinks and meals. It happens a little less frequently post pandemic but there’s still an element of it there.

“I think there’s also room for women to get into a construction career at any stage of their lives so promoting it as a career change option and not a fresh from education option would be good.”

What would you say to girls who are looking at their career options about getting into construction?

“There’s so much opportunity for whatever your talents may be that I’d seriously encourage you to look at the sector as a whole and not just about it being boots on the ground. There are dozens of job types in the industry so there are multiple options. Career progression is good and often quick which is great if you are ambitious or have parents who want to see you in a successful career. If you do want to do something manual but are worried about site culture and banter things have changed. Harassment is not tolerated as much as it was and there are procedures in place to stop that.

“Construction has a career option for everyone, and we need more girls like you to keep the sector growing and changing.”