HOUSEBUILDER company, Barratt David Wilson Homes is celebrating Women in Construction Week from 5-11 March. 

The week will be dedicated to its top female team members across Somerset and also encouraging more women to join the 

Women into Construction data revealed that currently only 16% of the construction workforce in the UK is represented by women.

Somerset-based Syd Atifeh and Laura Lloyd are flying the flag for women in construction in two very different roles with Barratt Developments.

Syd, aged 26, came into the industry via Barratt Developments’ ASPIRE Graduate scheme.

She has worked on-site for the past five years. She was recently promoted for overseeing the construction of the new three and four bedroom homes at Moorland Gate in Bishops Lydeard, the first development she has looked after in her role as site manager.

She said: “I get a real buzz working in a team that are driven and enthusiastic to achieve and develop. I would definitely like to see more women on-site and I don’t think it’ll be long until we get there.

"The more diverse the workforce, the more we can understand the different perspectives of trades, subcontractors and customers.”

Meanwhile, Laura is the Regional Finance Director for Barratt David Wilson Homes West Region which covers the whole of the South West and South Wales.

She joined Barratt as an Assistant Accountant in 2006 after graduating from her four-year degree in Business Studies at Plymouth University. She had previously spent a year placement with the company as part of her degree.

She received a sponsorship from Barratt to complete her Chartered accountancy qualification and she quickly progressed through the ranks, being promoted to Finance Director in 2015, then taking on responsibility for the whole West Region in 2021.

Laura's busy schedule goes away in spending a lot of time with teams on-site, making sure developments are on target from a financial perspective, that the teams are happy with their performance as well as day to day issues such as supply and cost of materials. 

Laura explains: “My role is to ensure we keep a handle on those costs – manufacturing, materials, any unexpected increases.  Are we buying the right land?  Is the customer journey a good one and are they getting value for money?”

Laura is conscious that while the environment for women in construction has improved considerably in recent years, there is still work to be done around areas such as flexible working hours and conditions on-site.  

Mike Hallett, contracts manager at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “As is clear to see, we aren’t solely creating brand new communities but career opportunities for women, too.  We really want to attract more women into the industry and I hope listening to Syd and Laura’s stories will inspire more females to consider one of the many varied roles in construction.”

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Homes Bristol, added: “As the country’s largest volume housebuilder we see it as our responsibility to inspire and encourage more women to take up a career in home building. 

On his journey and thoughts about women in workforce he said , :"Also, speaking first hand, it has been a fabulous career for me and I am passionate about seeing more women through our doors to help challenge the traditional stereotype of the industry.”

For sales enquiries call the Barratt and David Wilson Homes sales team on 0333 355 8487. Alternatively visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk.