Princebuild: Women in Construction Week

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To mark Women in Construction Week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the talented women working across Princebuild. From site-based roles to project and pre-construction management, these women play a vital part in delivering high-quality projects while helping to challenge perceptions and inspire future generations to consider careers in construction. Below, Lyndsey, Izzie and Elisha share their roles, experiences and journeys within the industry.

Lyndsey Hilton
Building Services Electrician (JIB Approved)

Lyndsey works as a Building Services Electrician, delivering electrical services across a range of commercial and domestic installations. Her role includes electrical installation, maintenance works (including planned preventative maintenance), electrical testing such as PAT testing and periodic inspection and testing, as well as fault finding.

What she enjoys about her role
Lyndsey enjoys the variety her role brings, with no two jobs or sites being the same. She values working across different environments, meeting new people, reconnecting with colleagues she has worked with before, and continuing to develop her knowledge and skills to progress as an engineer.

Challenges and barriers faced
Lyndsey’s route into the electrical industry was not entirely straightforward. When first looking to train, electrical courses were full, which meant exploring alternative options before returning to electrical training. In 2004, she began her career through an apprenticeship arranged via Boston Training Agency and Boston College, after securing an employer.

Working within a traditionally male-dominated industry has also presented its own challenges, particularly in the early stages of her career, as she adjusted to site environments and team dynamics. Alongside this, balancing work with family life following the birth of her son, including returning to work after maternity leave and arranging childcare, required careful adjustment. Over time, these challenges were managed, allowing Lyndsey to continue building a successful and rewarding career in the electrical industry.

Izmaat Qureshi (Izzie)
Project ManagerIzmaat (Izzie)

Qureshi is a Project Manager and has been with the company for over three years. Alongside her role, Izzie is currently studying for a BSc in Construction Management through an apprenticeship degree. Her role involves ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget. Izzie coordinates logistics, delegates work to site teams, monitors costs, and maintains strong communication with clients and subcontractors to ensure expectations are met and projects run smoothly.

What she enjoys about her role
What Izzie enjoys most about her role is the variety and responsibility that comes with it. No two days are the same one day Izzie might be resolving a site issue, the next she’s meeting with clients or reviewing budgets. Izzie enjoys the problem-solving aspect of construction and the satisfaction of seeing a project come together from start to finish. Building strong relationships with clients and site teams is also important to Izzie, and she finds it rewarding to hand over a completed project knowing she has played a key role in delivering it successfully.

Challenges and barriers faced
Working in construction as a woman has come with its challenges. The industry remains male-dominated, and early on Izzie had to work hard to build confidence, establish credibility and ensure her voice was heard in meetings and on site. There have been moments where Izzie has had to prove herself more than others, but these experiences have strengthened her resilience and leadership skills. Over time, Izzie has built strong working relationships and gained respect through consistency, professionalism and delivering results. Izzie is proud to be part of an industry that is gradually becoming more inclusive and hopes to encourage more women to consider careers in construction.

Elisha Temple
Pre Construction Manager

Overview of the role
Elisha’s role varies depending on the client. For Waitrose, Elisha is responsible for pre-construction and design management, as well as commercial management including tendering, valuations, change management, cash flow, final accounts and invoicing. For Boots, Elisha oversees all of the above in addition to full project management responsibilities.

What she enjoys about her role
What Elisha enjoys most is that no two projects are ever the same. Every job comes with its own quirks that require problem-solving. Elisha thrives on process and organisation, so working on spreadsheets and providing clients with clear, comprehensive information is a particularly enjoyable part of the role.

Challenges and barriers faced
Earlier in her career, particularly when running projects on site, Elisha found working alongside individuals with 40+ years in the industry could be challenging, as some did not always appreciate being managed by someone younger and female. Although now rare, Elisha still occasionally encounters subtle sexism, particularly in white-collar roles with people she has not worked with before. Once her knowledge and capability are understood, any initial doubt tends to subside. Over time, Elisha’s confidence in holding individuals accountable has grown significantly, supported by strong professional relationships with colleagues who consistently back her in these situations.

Together, Lyndsey, Izzie and Elisha represent the breadth of opportunity within construction and the positive impact women continue to make across the industry. Their experiences highlight not only the challenges that still exist, but also the progress being made and the importance of visible role models. As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, we’re proud to recognise their achievements and commitment, and we hope their stories inspire more women to explore and thrive in careers in construction.

This article was written by Carly Dadge, Group Brand & Marketing Manager at Pincebuild.

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce