Spotlight: Judith - M&J Evans
We wanted to shine a light on the inspiring female professionals who play an integral role in Construction during the 25th Anniversary of Women In Construction Week. Through interviews, we asked key questions about their accomplishments and what lies ahead for women in the industry, showcasing just how much is possible within this space!
We continue to have the pleasure of partnering with Judith Marriott, Group People Director at M&J Evans. We interviewed Judith last year for Women in Construction Week and we were eager to find out how her career has developed and how her outlook on the construction industry has potentially changed. We asked Judith:
Tell us a little about your history in the Construction industry?
“I am delighted to be invited to share my experience as a female leader in construction for the second year running.
I was introduced to the construction industry when I joined M&J Evans Groundworks and Civil Engineers in 2021. It was a really interesting time to join, not least because we were still coming out the pandemic, but M&J had grown quite significantly over a short period of time.
Prior to this I had no knowledge of the industry and had little perspective on what to expect.”
What has been your most rewarding experience since joining the Construction industry?
“It’s impossible for one person to build something alone – quite the opposite, there are hundreds of people involved in a construction project from planning and design through to project management, simply the construction process itself. But the line incorporates what the construction industry does well – it gets people to work together and recognise that the part they play is a crucial one. Bearing this in mind, for me personally, the most rewarding experience over the past year is being accepted and having the support from the Board and Senior Leadership Team.
Coming into this role, you need to show a willingness to learn, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Having no knowledge of the industry, it was a little overwhelming and people didn’t really understand why I was here. 18 months on and a better understanding of the business and our people, it’s a really simple business, but it’s an amazing business to be a part of.”
Tell us how you started your career in Construction and what attracted you to join the industry?
“As mentioned briefly earlier, I joined the industry 18 months ago with no expectation on what to expect. If I’m being honest, it was not a deliberate plan to move to this industry, but it has given me the opportunity to grow, learn and develop both personally and professionally in a different way to that of the industries I have previously worked in.”
What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in the construction industry?
“In my position, I have the opportunity to play a crucial role in eliminating the challenges other women face in construction. Female leaders can also serve as a valuable resource across the many roles, inspiring careers and encouraging women to advance in their respective careers.
My role is crucial in inspiring a new generation of female construction workers with their presence and achievements. Girls will see that construction isn’t just a career ‘for the boys’.”
What do you find are the biggest challenges working within the construction industry?
“Currently, women represent only 9% of the construction workforce. For every 100 men on the jobsite, there is only one woman. However, many of the women who go to work in construction every day do so with the drive and a vision for a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The other challenge for women can be around earning the same amount as men for doing similar work. That said, I believe that M&J have a greater understanding of why it is important to encourage women to the industry and are really brought into working with a more diverse workforce.”
What advice would you give other women who are considering entering the industry?
“Construction is starved of talented female workers and there are both women and men out there who have a lot to offer when placed in the right roles. It would be a shame not to consider this industry; it’s full of opportunity.”
Over your career you’ve accomplished a lot, tell us about some of your successes?
“I have had many experiences within my 23 years in HR, but some of my best experiences and accomplishments have been watching people grow professionally through our career development programmes.”
What is next for you in your career?
“One of the best feelings is being able to build something from the ground up, as working in construction allows me to receive this feeling of achievement and develop a passion.
We have our People Strategy in place and we will continue to build on this over the next 12 months.”
People People Director
