Women in Construction: Thriving?
Barbra Carlisle • January 29, 2026
Are times really changing for women in the construction sector?
Navigating a career as a woman in construction can feel challenging as Kathleen Abbott Chief Growth Officer at Shawmut discussed on The Unlikely Executive podcast recently with me.
She talks about the challenge and about what’s possible when curiosity, resilience and strategic leadership come together. She reminded me that the sector is changing, expectations are shifting, and inclusive leadership is becoming a commercial necessity.
In the UK, women still make up only around 15% of the construction workforce and just 1% of manual site workers, which means the industry continues to miss out on diverse perspectives, problem‑solving approaches and leadership talent.
Building Confidence in a Male‑Dominated Sector
While the UK has made progress, cultural challenges persist and with the workforce shrinking by 12% compared with 2019 levels, according to the ONS, the industry needs more capable leaders, including women, to fill gaps and drive performance.
Resilience, confidence and advocacy are non‑negotiable. Kathleen’s experience mirrors what many female professionals face: you must back your capability, seek environments where safety and wellbeing are prioritised, and surround yourself with mentors who champion diversity and fairness.
Embracing Curiosity and Continual Learning
Kathleen went from from geologist to Chief Growth Officer. This is a study in adaptive leadership. Her curiosity pulled her from technical roles into strategic, commercial and people‑focused positions.
This is particularly relevant in the UK, where the industry is expected to face a 250,000‑worker shortfall by 2028 creating huge opportunities for women who are willing to develop new skills and step into leadership.
Ideas on how to thrive
- Stretch beyond your discipline, technical expertise + strategic thinking = leadership edge.
- Ask questions constantly.
- Move toward roles that push your boundaries - business development, project leadership, or commercial strategy.
Cultivating Networks and Support Systems
Senior roles can feel isolating especially for women who may not see many female peers around them.
In the UK, networking is still one of the biggest career accelerators in construction, particularly in owner‑led firms.
Schedule networking deliberately: industry forums, mentorship programmes, women‑in‑construction groups, or cross‑organisational peer circles. When pressure hits, having a trusted network is critical.
Balancing Ambition and Wellness
The UK construction industry is under intense pressure such as cost inflation, labour shortages, and tighter sustainability requirements.
This environment can push ambitious women toward burnout if boundaries aren’t clear.
Kathleen’s principle of “non‑negotiables” eg exercise, family time, routines is essential for long‑term leadership impact.
- Decide your non‑negotiables and protect them.
- Communicate boundaries clearly to colleagues.
- Replace perfection with progress, sustainable careers require sustainable energy.
Your Path to Leadership
Kathleen Abbott’s journey is a modern blueprint for thriving in construction as a woman: curiosity, resilience, diverse skills, strong networks and a commitment to wellbeing. Her message transcends gender as it’s about leading with clarity, purpose and humanity.
If you want to grow your influence, drive cultural change and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive built environment, start with self‑awareness, strategic relationships and purposeful leadership. This is how careers change.
Want support building your leadership identity and confidence?
Join my programme that is designed for construction and engineering leaders who want to lead decisively, earn respect, and build teams that back their decisions.
If you’re exploring whether leadership development is right for you, book a clarity call with me and we’ll map out your next steps.
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