Level up and build strong: celebrating Women in Construction Week

Reflecting on my 12-year journey within the construction industry, I have seen first-hand how our work goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It is about the voices and talent that shape the future of our communities and at the Government Property Agency (the GPA), we are proud to join the global celebration of Women in Construction Week 2026. This year’s theme, “Level up. Build strong,” perfectly captures the growth, resilience and excellence of the women shaping our future government office estate.

In my role as Workplace Design Manager, I see how our mission to create a smaller, better, greener government office estate is being transformed from a vision into a reality. Brunswick Street is a flagship project that is kickstarting economic growth and will accommodate over 1,600 civil servants and bring our government partners closer to the communities they serve.

Finding my voice in workplace design

Whilst I had a squiggly career path and didn’t initially target construction, it didn’t take long before I found myself on building sites with my hard hat and high-visibility vest in tow. Having worked in quite a few lacklustre offices in various countries, I developed a strong conviction over the importance of workspace design. For me, designing spaces that inspire people has been the driving force behind my journey. 

My time in construction has taught me the value of teamwork, integrity and the importance of being myself. It takes hundreds of people to deliver our projects, and success depends on all of us working together. Every individual has a part to play and something unique to bring to the table, and I learned early in my career that things only go wrong when you don’t speak up – I’ve got a voice so I may as well use it!

Strengthening skills and building impact

I am fortunate to work alongside incredible women both within government and from our strategic partners who are equally passionate about public service transformation.

Jess Swords, a Graduate Project Manager at Tetra Tech, has been an integral part of the team at Brunswick Street. Jess said:

“Working on Brunswick Street has strengthened my project management skills, helped me build confidence communicating with a wide range of people, and given me hands-on experience on site…It’s rewarding seeing a project develop from a design into a real building and knowing that the work I do plays a part in something bigger.”

Najwa Jawahar, an Associate Director at WSP and Design Manager for the Brunswick Street project, has worked in the industry for over a decade. Najwa shared:

“From the outset, I was drawn to construction because it is a tangible way to shape the world around us, creating spaces that last. The Brunswick Street, Darlington project has helped me hone my leadership and coordination skills, guiding diverse teams and ensuring that every stakeholder is heard.”

For Najwa, the journey has been transformative, allowing her to develop a strong ability to manage complex designs and navigate challenges with resilience.

A place for everyone

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that 15 per cent of construction professionals are women and whilst this number is growing, I would love to see more women bringing their talent and unique experiences to this field.

To any woman considering a career in construction, my advice is simple: get involved! Be bold. Your perspective is needed and there are incredible opportunities to learn, grow and make a real impact.

It is an exciting industry with a place for everyone and to help us build a stronger, more inclusive future it needs your talent, your unique experience and yes, your voice.