Winner Gold Award: Katy Robinson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Having started her construction career as an apprentice quantity surveyor at an SME, Katy Robinson is keen to encourage others to follow her into the industry. Now a senior project manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, she is working to make construction sites a more welcoming place for women and minority groups.
Robinson co-founded the Yorkshire branch of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in February 2022. Since then, NAWIC has held over 15 school events involving over 4,600 young women from 55 different schools across Yorkshire.
Through NAWIC Yorkshire, where she is currently campaigns manager, Robinson created the School2Site programme, which gives young women the chance to visit construction sites. To date, 30 students from five schools have visited projects in Yorkshire and the scheme is now being replicated in other UK NAWIC regions.
Other finalists
Bukola Adeoye Balfour Beatty
Laura James BakerHicks
Gurdeep Jandoo Morgan Sindall
PPE for women
One of the campaigns that Robinson is championing is ensuring appropriate PPE provision for women. At the council, she worked with procurement teams to make a range of PPE designed to fit women available. Through NAWIC, and in conjunction with Bold as Brass – a network for women in construction, mining, energy, highways, rail, engineering and environmental services – Robinson is spreading the message about PPE further.
Currently in her final year of studying for a degree in Construction Project Management at Sheffield Hallam University, alongside her day job, Robinson mentors undergraduates and postgraduates at the university, helping them to find placements and graduate jobs.
She has also worked with multiple organisations including Women into Manufacturing and Engineering, Future Humber, Generation 4 Change, Young Entrepreneurs in Property, Primary Futures and STEM Ambassadors to encourage young women to consider careers in construction.
Robinson is now recognised as an authoritative campaigner and authority, invited to take part in panels, conduct interviews and write articles.
This category was sponsored by Accuris
Well deserved Katy Robinson, it’s a pleasure to be working with you on the #PPEthatfits campaign, demonstrating collaboration across institutions and organisations. Good to have your energy and understanding of the importance of facts as well as passion in influencing policy as well as industry.