Member Article

Barratt Developments North East shines a light on women in construction for International Women’s Day

Following International Women’s Day, which took place on Sunday 8th March, five star housebuilder Barratt Developments North East is shining a light on some of its leading ladies, with the aim of encouraging more women to consider a role in the rewarding construction industry.

Leanne Hardcastle, age 26 from Yarm, was keen to kick start her career in construction with Barratt Developments after learning about the housebuilder’s impressive reputation. Upon achieving a BSC Honours degree in Building Surveying in 2015, she enrolled onto Barratt Developments’ Accelerated Construction Programme as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager. Within just 12 months, Leanne progressed to her current role of Assistant Site Manager, where her daily responsibilities involve assisting the Site Manager, ensuring that build programme targets are met, delivering top quality houses and maintaining excellent health and safety records, alongside five star customer service. Despite working in a heavily male-dominated industry, Leanne states that she has always been treated as equally and as professionally as her male co-workers, thanks to Barratt’s progressive and forward-thinking attitude in the industry.

Christie Edge, 31 from Newcastle, joined the Barratt Developments Sales team in 2010 as part of the housebuilder’s Graduate Programme in Sales, after achieving a BA Honours degree in Marketing and Retail Management and an MSc in Management. Keen to become a part of a successful organisation, Christie progressed through the business into her current role as Sales Manager, where she achieved experience in a variety of roles including Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Sales Advisor and Field Sales Manager. As part of her position, no two days are the same, and Christie’s responsibilities include managing multiple sites across the North East, working closely with the Sales team to ensure targets are met, managing presentation on sites, regularly liaising with customers, and managing multiple departments.

Helen Woods, 34 years old from Middlesbrough, joined Barratt Developments in 2016, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in Customer Service. Helen was keen to join the five-star housebuilder, not only because of its mission to lead the future of housebuilding by putting customers at the heart of everything it does, but also because she was inspired by her father, who has been working in construction for over 40 years. Helen’s role involves managing and motivating the Customer Care team, ensuring that all customer care policies and procedures and implemented, all queries are dealt with professionally and quickly, and she also makes sure that all employees are well directed, fully supported and satisfied in their current role with the housebuilder.

Both Helen and Christie join 58 other women who have been nominated for the Barratt Developments Catalyst Programme; an initiative championing women in leadership roles within the housebuilding industry. Supporting long-term career development, the programme allows women the opportunity to advance into high profile leadership roles, whilst also paving the way for future female employees who wish to follow a similar career path.

Carl Sobolewski, Managing Director at Barratt Developments North East, commented: “We want to work with the very best talent at Barratt Developments, regardless of their age, gender, faith or background, and we’re proud to champion women in the construction industry who are helping to deliver high quality homes to communities across the North East. By raising awareness of the equal opportunities that are available in such a rewarding sector, we hope to continue encouraging women to consider a career in both housebuilding, and the wider construction industry as a whole.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .