Are women really leaving construction because of poorly fitting PPE?

That’s where the conversation starts… but it’s not where it ends.

In the latest episode of Tap Into Something Better, I’m joined by Faye Allen BSc (Hons), PgDL, FRICS, MAE Allen, author of Building Women and expert witness with 30+ years in the industry.

After speaking to 1,000+ women, the real reasons are clear:

– Feeling excluded early in their careers

– Bullying and harassment

– Lack of flexibility for working parents

This isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a retention, performance, and culture issue for the entire industry.

Listen to the Full episode & grab a copy of Faye's fantastic book, Building Women today!

This month, we’re spotlighting incredible women shaping the future of our industry — and we’re kicking things off with Sophie Seddon.

Sophie is a senior construction executive, shareholder at Novus Property Solutions, Non-Executive Director, and Board Trustee at CITB. With over a decade of experience across marketing, HR, client engagement and leadership, she brings a rare, full-spectrum view of what truly drives performance in construction and property.

In this episode, we go beyond projects and pipelines — and into what really matters:

👉 Leadership from both executive and non-executive perspectives 👉 Why culture is the biggest driver of business performance 👉 The power of psychological safety in high-pressure environments 👉 Creating inclusive workplaces where people can thrive 👉 The future of construction, facilities management and ESG

One of the most powerful takeaways:

“When people feel safe, everything improves — decision-making, retention, innovation and wellbeing.”

Whether you’re in construction, facilities management, property, or working with high-value clients — this is a conversation about building better businesses, not just buildings.

• How Non-Executive roles change leadership thinking • Why psychological safety is a commercial advantage • How to build cultures that retain and attract talent • The role of inclusivity in long-term industry success • What gives real hope for the future of construction

This episode is for:

🏗 Construction professionals 🏢 Facilities management leaders 💼 Property developers & HNW client advisors 🌱 ESG & sustainability advocates 👷‍♀️ Women building careers in the industry

“If I could change one thing — it would be genuine psychological safety, where people feel safe to speak openly about challenges and opportunities.”

This is the first in a special series featuring women shaping our industry.

Coming up next: ✨ Faye Allen — Founder of Building Women ✨ Lucy Dixon — InstallerSHOW

🎧 Follow the podcast for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of construction, property and the built environment.

In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, host Hannah Freeman Jarvis is joined by Anna Rzepczynski, founder of We Build Too — a groundbreaking platform designed to empower women in construction and reshape an industry that is long overdue for change.

Anna shares the real experiences that led her to build We Build Too, from witnessing talented women being pushed out of the sector to navigating outdated and often patronising systems as a customer herself.

Together, Hannah and Anna explore:

• Why women still feel unseen and unsupported in construction

• The systemic barriers holding back progress (and why slogans aren’t enough)

• The urgent need for better data, safety, and inclusion on sites and in leadership

• What the industry could look like in 10 years if women truly thrive

• And the one change Anna believes would make workplaces better for everyone

This is an honest, insightful conversation about designing industries that work for all — and building a future where women don’t just enter construction, but lead it.

🎧 Listen now and discover how We Build Too is helping pave the way for the next generation. And please sign up for their newsletter here to find out more about the platform, services & take part in future surveys/research.