International Women’s Day 2024: Celebrating Women in Construction

In our traditionally male-dominated industry, women have long been underrepresented. However, winds of change are sweeping through the merchanting industry as more and more women are breaking barriers and making their mark.

And at Howarth, we’re proud to be on that journey with the world and within the sector.

The construction industry has historically been seen as a man's world, with women often side-lined or underestimated in their abilities. However, times are changing, and here at Howarth we are implementing more and more changes within our workforce and seeing our female staff members excelling in their game.

Ashley Rice - Assistant Brach Manager at Wakefield

One example of our female staff members showing incredible internal growth and development is our new Assistant Branch Manager at our Wakefield branch, who has just recently been promoted to the role from Counter Sales in the Oldham branch.

“I started my career in the building industry working part time at B&Q Oldham in 2007, and through my 14 years there I also completed two business management degrees at university, and although this was challenging as a single parent, I continued to pursue my career which led me to then accept the role of counter sales at the Oldham branch of Howarth Timber. During my time in this role, I was enrolled onto the BMF Diploma in Merchant Management course and was then promoted to internal sales at Oldham. I continued to work towards my progression within Howarth Timber and was fortunate enough to be successful in my application for the Assistant Branch Manager position at the Wakefield branch. Howarth Timber is a fantastic company to be a part of, and constantly encourages internal progression and development as part of its values.”

– Ashley Rice

Ashley's time with our business has been highlighted by her immense passion, ingenuity, and an unwavering work ethic. We are incredibly happy to see her join and thrive within the Wakefield team, and we look forward to watching her succeed in this managerial role!

Hayley Parker - Branch Manager at Manchester

Similarly, throughout her years, Ashely has also worked closely with Hayley Parker who currently stands as Branch Manager at our Manchester branch, who herself has worked her way up through the trade sector and at Howarth.

“I’ve been with Howarth for around seven and a half years where I first started as a Store Manager in Oldham, where I then moved on to be a Sales Executive, then to Cheadle as an Assistant Branch Manager, and finally to Manchester to be the Branch Manager, while helping other branches out in between. I started in the industry in 2005 while working at B&Q/Tradepoint and I have loved working in the trade industry ever since. I love dealing with customers and suppliers daily, as well as working alongside my very supportive team. I do absolutely love my job!”

– Hayley Parker

Hayley has left a huge mark on Howarth as the first ever female branch manager, and we are delighted to have her on our team and paving the way for the rest of the women in the industry.

Debbie Pollit – Adminstrator at Sale

Also at Howarth, we continually look for ways to recognise our incredible employees and their achievements, so in 2022 we introduced our Above and Beyond Colleague campaign. This campaign is aimed at recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions of employees who consistently go the extra mile within their work. Not only does this boost morale and motivation within the workplace, but also fosters a culture of appreciation and recognition.

And for 2023, our winner was Debbie Pollit, our Administrator at our Sale branch. Debbie is a truly exceptional member of our team, and in every workplace, there are individuals who go above and beyond their duties, embodying their values that define our company – and Debbie is undoubtedly one of those remarkable individuals. Her dedication, commitment, and constant support for our local branches have not only made a difference but have also served as a shining representative for all the women who work within our company.

The Women's Network

Dedicated, experienced and hardworking women make vital contributions to our business, and we are extremely fortunate to have them in a variety of roles, from yard operatives to our marketing team.
In 2022, we hosted our first ever international women's day event, 'The Women's Network,' inviting all the women from our business to a devoted event to celebrate them. The day was highly successful and gave everyone an opportunity to be inspired to network and feel included, as well as snack on a cheeky biscuit or two. The event also had strong female speakers who addressed a variety of themes, and our colleagues left feeling motivated and represented.

The event was so successful that we were able to repeat it in 2023, this time bringing #YesSheCan speaker Sophie Turner to dedicate the day to talking about female empowerment.

And, after receiving excellent feedback and officially settling into the process, we are currently preparing our third event for 2024 to honour the current International Women's Day theme, #InspireInclusion.

At Howarth, we have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and we make every effort to embed this practice in every area of the workplace so that it is more than just a symbol, but rather rooted in creating an environment in which everyone, regardless of gender, feels valued and has equal opportunities to thrive.

As the world continues to develop and opportunities for women in construction expand, we’re happy to be on this journey in celebrating our women colleagues and customers. Happy International Womens Day 2024!