Member Article

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West champions women in construction

With women expected to make up a quarter of all construction workers in the UK by 2020[1] and in the lead up to International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8th March, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West is celebrating the success of women in the construction industry.

Jenny Purple has been a Land Manager with Barratt Yorkshire West for the past eight months, having previously worked as a residential Charter Surveyor at multi-national surveying company, Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ). She discusses her passion for the construction industry and how women should not be discouraged in pursuing a career in this sector.

Originally from Harrogate, Jenny had an interest in construction from a young age, with her father being a housebuilder. After taking an undergraduate degree in Geography at Loughborough University, a course that concentrated on Human Geography and the Built Form, Jenny then studied a masters in Property Appraisal and Management at Sheffield Hallam University. Whilst studying for her under–graduate degree, Jenny partook in work experience at DTZ, from which she secured a place on its graduate programme, and where she remained for 15 years. With 15 years of experience in the residential development sector as a specialist residential Chartered Surveyor, Jenny joined the Barratt Homes team to follow her passion in construction, expanding her learnings with further technical elements to the industry in her new role as Land Manager.

Speaking about her experiences, Jenny said:

“For as long as I can remember, I have always had a keen interest in the residential construction industry, so I am not surprised to find myself doing the job I am doing. After 15 years working in residential real estate service sector, I am now excited to learn and gain more experience in the delivery of new homes. In my role as Land Manager, I am responsible for buying land and securing our future development sites”.

“Throughout my entire career and in my current role, I have never encountered any restrictions. People aren’t shocked by my decision as a woman to work within construction, but they are interested in how I got into the industry. I hope no one ever feels restricted when pursuing a career in this sector, as it is a very rewarding and dynamic industry to be a part off. It would be great to attract more women into the construction industry; my experiences are only positive, and if women want to work in this sector they shouldn’t let anything stand in their way.”

David Coe, Land Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, commented:

“Jenny is a real asset to the team, her wider experience in the residential development sector assists her in this new role and provides us with greater expertise. I would urge women who want to work in the industry to pursure their career goals, and we should celebrate the women already doing so. Many fear restrictions within the industry, but cases like Jenny highlight that there are no restrictions, if you have the passion and the talent, you will succeed. “

For more information on careers with Barratt Developments, please visit http://www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk/

[1] https://www.randstad.co.uk/women-in-work/women-in-the-uk-construction-industry-in-2016.pdf

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