To mark Women in Construction Week, we celebrate some of the talented women we are lucky to have in The Encon Group.
In line with this year’s theme, Together We Rise, we shine a spotlight on Encon & Nevill Long Leeds, where our all-female team of Business Unit Managers has risen through the business to lead in their specialist areas. We speak to Kelly Blackburn (left), Encon Insulation & Construction Products, Vidette Smith (right), Nevill Long and Claire Liley (centre), Encon Technical Solutions about their journeys in the industry.
Claire comments: “Our branch has always rewarded people based on merit, promoting from within where possible, and this is reflected in each of our career paths. I initially joined the business on an Administration training scheme, before working my way up to Internal Sales and was promoted to Business Unit Manager in 2015.”
Kelly adds: “I worked in Internal Sales at Leeds for nine years before being promoted to Business Unit Manager at the same time as Claire. One of our key business strengths at Leeds is our longstanding team, with many of us progressing through different roles and accumulating valuable experience within our specialisms. With over 70 years in the business between just the three of us, we have plenty of expertise within the team to support customers.”
The Encon Group has always valued the importance of diversity and supports women in varied roles across the business, as demonstrated by women making up 25% of our workforce in 2023 compared to an industry average of 15%.
The Company has always valued the importance of diversity and their central role in branch operations.
Claire explains: “Encon understands how a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, different approaches and fresh thinking. We feel very supported and have become respected figures in branch and in the industry over the years.
“As well as the support we receive from the branch, Vidette, Kelly and I are really close as colleagues and friends and are always there for each other on all aspects of life and business.”
Vidette concludes: “I no longer think of construction as an industry with boundaries as we have moved past the stigmas and preconceived ideas which people may have had. It’s nice to know that we work for a business that is committed to equality and sees an important role for women in tackling the skills gap. Anybody who is capable, enthusiastic and willing to learn has a place in our business and industry, so I’d encourage anyone who is considering joining to take a leap and go for it!”
Learn about the exciting opportunities currently available at The Encon Group, representing a wide range of job roles across our national branch network.
If you are interested in a career in the building materials sector, also visit the Building Materials Career programme by the BMF for more insights into our dynamic industry and the varied paths for skills and role development.
Nationwide Delivery
