Member Article

Graduate makes her mark ahead of national awards

An architecture graduate from the North East is leading the way for women in the construction industry.

Joanna Pullan, 22, an architectural assistant at Patrick Parsons Consulting Engineers in Newcastle, has been shortlisted in the Best Apprentice/New Starter Under 25 category of the Women In Construction Awards 2013.

The national awards, to be held in Manchester on February 27, honour the brightest and best female achievers in the construction and house building industries, which are traditionally seen as male-dominated sectors.

Joanna, from Durham, is the only woman from a North East company shortlisted in her category.

She first undertook a work placement with Patrick Parsons in 2010 as part of her studies for a BA (Hons) Architecture Degree from Lincoln University. However, the directors were so impressed by Joanna’s skills and attitude that they invited her back to the firm in 2011, following her graduation, and appointed her as architectural assistant.

Since joining Patrick Parsons full-time, she has been involved in a number of prestigious schemes, including multi-million pound projects at Hexham Abbey and Durham Cathedral.

Joanna will have worked for the company for nearly two years before she returns to university in September to study for the second part of her architecture course.

She commented: “I am thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award and hope that along with my fellow nominees, I can inspire more young women to enter the construction industry.

“This kind of recognition would not have been possible without the help of Patrick Parsons, which has given me the opportunity to work across a range of engineering disciplines and to be directly involved in high profile projects.”

Mark Turner, director of Patrick Parsons, commented: “I am absolutely delighted for Joanna, this shortlisting is highly deserved and it is pleasing to see her hard work rewarded.

“Her work ethic, ability and attitude are rarely seen is someone so young, so I am thrilled to see this has been recognised nationally.”

The Women In Construction Awards, now in their sixth year, will be held at Lancashire County Cricket Club and the winners will be decided by a panel of expert judges.

For more information on Patrick Parsons please visit www.patrickparsons.co.uk

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