This International Women’s Day, Laura Edmunds is highlighting her belief that there are not enough women in the property, building and construction industries.
She has worked for Newport Norse or Newport City Council, dealing with their property and facilities management services, for almost 20 years now and believes it is time for change.
“Back when I was younger, construction was viewed as male job but now we need to change that perception,” she says.
“There are lots of opportunities for women in the field – including for women who want to change their careers and do something completely different.”
Newport Norse, working in partnership with Newport City Council, offers a full range of property and facilities management services to the public and private sectors.
Laura manages a team of staff who answer incoming calls and emails from clients, raise jobs for them, and allocate work to Newport Norse operatives and contractors.
“The team I manage largely has an admin function and we are female-led, but we have a good understanding of the construction business,” she observes.
“I would love to see more women put themselves forward for all sorts of roles in the property and construction industries as I know they would be very capable of doing them.
“I have experienced bias in the past, where I have felt a man has been listened to over and above me, but that needs to change.
“Women must feel able to make themselves heard and to put themselves forward if they are just as capable – or even more capable perhaps – than a man is.”
She adds: “This International Women’s Day we need to celebrate the achievements of women, especially when they have excelled in an area that has traditionally been thought of as male.”
Q: Is there a woman you particularly admire?
A: My Mum – she is a really strong woman and the person I have always looked up to. My parents and my brother have their own company, but she didn’t want me to fall into that just because it was there. She encouraged to make my own decisions and to follow the career path of my choice.
Q: What advice would you give to a young woman just starting out on her career?
A: If you have your sights set on something, then go for it. Just because some roles have traditionally been thought of as men’s jobs, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try for them. In this day and age, you should be able to do anything – women haven’t had those options in the past. Now is the time to make the most of them.
