Helen Redfern, chief people officer at the Kier Group, tells CM how she set out to make a difference to the industry.
What made you join the construction industry?
I’d worked in various HR roles for well-known businesses, including Sainsbury’s and Wolseley Group, and I was looking for a new challenge. Kier was looking for an HR director and I felt it was an organisation, and an industry, where I could help make a difference.
What has been your biggest achievement since joining the construction industry?
When I first joined Kier, I was one of the only women in the leadership team, and at times that could feel quite overwhelming. When I was expecting my first child, I had to really hunt for the maternity policy, and something clicked: if we wanted to attract and retain the best people, we needed to do more to be an inclusive business.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in the diversity and inclusion space since then. We’ve introduced new employee networks that act as safe spaces for employees to share their experiences from which we can all learn from. We’ve launched our Expect Respect campaign, which educates employees on the importance of respect in the workplace and communicates Kier’s zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment.
And we have introduced new and enhanced family-friendly policies, including the industry’s first pregnancy loss policy.
What one thing would you change to make careers in construction more appealing?
“Make sure you choose to work with a company whose purpose and values align to your own, be curious and always keep learning.”
Construction is still seen by many as muddy, manual and male-dominated. It’s not and I’m determined to challenge those stereotypes and break down barriers to show the industry is vibrant, inclusive and open to all, and that sustainability and digital delivery is at the forefront of what we do.
What has changed most since you’ve been working in construction?
Again, I come back to inclusion. The industry has always been full of passionate people who love what they do, but it really feels like we’re turning the dial on encouraging people from a range of backgrounds to come and join us.
What advice would you give someone starting in the industry?
It’s an exciting time to join the construction industry – or revolution – as I like to call it. Every person who joins can make a real difference, to skylines, people’s lives and the planet.
I would say: make sure you choose to work with a company whose purpose and values align to your own, be curious and always keep learning.
Do you have a motto that applies to your work and if so, what is it?
Take every opportunity that makes sense for you. Opportunities that might not, on first sight, seem the most obvious choice can lead to fantastic and rewarding work. Alongside HR, I look after the health, safety and wellbeing of our people as well as our ESG agenda. It’s still about supporting people, but with a wider remit.
I hope my journey helps to inspire others to be bold, chase their dreams and realise their potential – the industry will be all the better for it.
