Inspiring Female Leaders: Judith Marriott, Group People Director

On International Women’s Day, we had the privilege of interviewing Judith Marriott, Group People Director at M&J Evans. She shared insights on inspiring more female leaders and emphasised the crucial role adults play in shaping the next generation of leaders. With persistent imbalances in equal opportunities for senior positions, Judith’s perspective sheds light on the importance of fostering leadership among women. Read on to discover Judith’s thoughts…

What role do you believe education plays in empowering young females to envision themselves as future leaders in fields like construction?

Education is a powerful tool for empowering women and promoting gender equality in any industry. It plays a crucial role in challenging gender norms, empowering women economically, fostering leadership skills, and breaking the cycle of discrimination.

Education equips women with the knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce, earn income, and achieve financial independence. It expands their employment opportunities, enhances their earning potential, and reduces the gender wage gap. When women are economically empowered, they can contribute to household income, make informed financial decisions, and positively impact their families.

How can parents, teachers, and other influential adults encourage and support girls from a young age to consider careers and leadership positions in industries like construction?

It starts in school and starts with parenting. We need to get to the point where girls don’t think it’s a big deal to be a construction manager, because women can do all those things required, especially where stereotypes still exist, and the profession is considered a man’s career.

Engaging in relevant work experience and/or undertaking an apprenticeship can be valuable in finding a suitable vocation in which you can thrive and gives girls the opportunity to see all the positives around working in the industry.

I also feel the construction industry needs to do a better job of promoting itself. M&J is passionate about raising awareness around careers in the construction industry, but this needs to start when kids are 13 or 14 years old. As a society, we need to honour and respect people who do work with their hands, and it is not a career of last resort but an amazing opportunity that can lead to so many different paths within the industry.

What advice would you give to young females who may be hesitant or unsure about pursuing leadership roles in construction or related fields?

To be a leader, you have to be okay with the mentality that not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. As a woman in a typically male-dominated field, I had to overcome the sceptics, but I was able to do so by believing in myself, pushing myself to do my best, and instead of letting a failure define me, using it as motivation to succeed the next time.

From your perspective, what are some of the key traits or skills that female leaders bring to the table in the construction industry?

In my experience, women leaders are more transformational and this is where I believe the skills are most important. You need to have the ability to work with senior leaders to identify needed change, create a shared vision and to guide through insight. For me, leadership is not meant only for accomplishing organisational goals but for transforming people to be the best they can be.

How does M&J Evans foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to advance into leadership positions?

This is an important focus at M&J and something our CEO, Chris Southgate talks about regularly. It plays an integral role within our company values. We believe we create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued for their unique contributions. By creating an emotionally safe environment, our people can feel it is their place to contribute to M&J’s success.

 

We thank Judith for her contribution towards our Women in Construction campaign as well as sharing her expert insights on International Women’s Day as a leader within her field and at M&J Construction. You can connect with Judith on LinkedIn here.