The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that 317,000 women worked in the construction industry in Q4 2025 compared to 260,000 in Q4 of 2015, which is a positive reflection of the progress made over the last decade. As an Employer of Choice, The Encon Group is also proud to be ahead of the curve on the number of female employees in our business, standing at 26%* of Encon’s workforce compared to the UK average of 15% (ONS).
In line with this year’s theme: Level Up, Build Strong, we spoke to a few of our female employees about their careers and experiences in the industry.
Laura Sanders, our Branch Director for Encon & Nevill Long Northampton and Frankie Oates, our Branch Manager for Encon Technical Solutions Oxford both joined the business as Internal Salespeople and have progressed to their current roles with their outstanding commitment, knowledge and determination to get the job done.
Laura was the first ever Internal Salesperson to join our Northampton branch and has been an integral part of the team for over a quarter of a century, taking the position of Branch Director in August 2025. Frankie joined the business in 2018 and was recently promoted to Branch Manager.
Talking to Laura and Frankie they explain their time in the industry and how the experience for women in construction is changing…
Frankie comments: “I joined just eight years ago as a 21-year-old, and the industry has already changed a lot since then. It used to be notably more male-led, but now there are many females within the technical insulation sector – when the phone rings, it is just as likely to be a woman calling as a man.
“I am very grateful to Encon for the faith they have shown in me. The business has always been great at rewarding good work and commitment with opportunities.”
Laura adds: “I have always let the strength of my work prove my competence. I’ve worked hard behind the scenes to develop my knowledge and gain experience in new areas, and I now apply those learnings to my leadership position. I’ve been lucky to learn from other Branch Directors, as well as benefitting from strong mentorship. Encon has recognised and rewarded my good work, loyalty and commitment with opportunities to progress, leading to my current role.
“While there is still more to do to make sure women get the opportunities they deserve in this industry, things are starting to improve. We are seeing more women working on site in roles such as Site Managers and on the tools, which is really encouraging. Ultimately, respect in this industry is earned, and women are doing great work that can’t be ignored.”
Frankie concludes: “It’s really important to show the next generation that they can achieve anything if they show that they are the best person for the job. Women should not be put off working in construction by any pre-conceived ideas; just like any industry, if you get the job done you will do well.”
Visit our website to learn more about Working at Encon, including current vacancies and the training & development opportunities available to our People.
*Figure from 2024 Gender Pay Gap Report
Nationwide Delivery
