NAWIC is an international organisation of women working in the construction industry.

Laura Stringer – Chair (Laura.Stringer@hilti.com)

Laura is a professional trainer and coach with more than 15 years' experience in a wide variety of roles in the Construction supply chain. Over the years, Laura has worked with major contractors, clients and small subcontractors on key industry topics such as Sustainability, Dust, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Productivity and Green

Building. Her career with innovative global power tool and fixings manufacturer, Hilti, has led her to build networks with key industry stakeholders in the UK, Ireland, Central Europe and Scandinavia. Laura enjoys working collaboratively with industry partners to build a better future for all in construction whether that be through building awareness on healthier solutions with initiatives such as the Construction Dust Partnership or by addressing the skills gap we currently face in STEM industries. Having attended NAWIC events across the UK in recent years, Laura was keen to establish a North West regional group to provide a platform for like-minded women and men to make a difference in this thriving region. Laura is committed to organising a calendar of events for the NW region in 2017 to provide networking and mentoring opportunities as well as continuous professional development seminars and focussed workshops tackling key industry issues. The NW region welcomes members and visitors from all backgrounds including students, tradespeople, legal professionals, architects, designers and supply chain partners. We recognise that everybody has a part to play in the construction industry of the future and embrace the many irrespective of gender, generation or background

Anna Roberts – Vice Chair and Treasurer (anna.roberts@arobertsltd.com) Anna is a Chartered Building Surveyor by profession and has been in the industry for over 10 years. Anna thrives on identifying opportunities and realising potential. Having worked in commercial consultancies, public sector bodies and directly for private clients, she understands and converts Clients’ various objectives into tangible results.

NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) North West Region Our Vision

Connecting with like-minded people Collaborating and knowledge-sharing

Engaging with wider communities to broaden the perception of construction as a positive career choice

This breadth of professional and managerial experience also means that Anna approaches projects from an all-encompassing view, thus providing quality advice that balances technical factors with strategic goals. With excellent communication skills she is pivotal in managing and coordinating a team, being the voice of the Client, and efficiently achieving results. Following the 2016 NAWIC conference in London, Anna was keen to establish a group which supports the North West market. Anna is passionate about promoting construction as an accessible and enriching career to all levels and people, especially where it might not have been a consideration previously; she strongly feels that doing a role that you believe in is one of the keys to a fulfilling and happy life, and which ultimately delivers the best results for clients. Interests include: showing and breeding Welsh Cob horses, water sports, property developing, traveling and snowboarding. Anna has an all-round appetite for life and loves experiencing new things and meeting people so is always more than happy to have a chat if you want to get in touch.

Laura Padgett – Memberships Coordinator (laura.padgett@blayzegroup.com) Laura has worked in Construction and Property recruitment for over 11 years and currently runs the Manchester office for Blayze Group, a specialist recruitment business in the Construction and Property market. Laura has a passion for driving new and transferable skills into the industry as well as

supporting clients with the retention of their employees through leadership and development training. Having attended many networking events and seminars over the years, Laura is keen to work with NAWIC to establish a North West platform for networking and skills development that is truly proactive about supporting the attraction and retention of great talent in this wonderful industry. Interests include: Most of my time is taken up with my two sons, ferrying them from various sporting tournaments to kids’ parties and the like, but when I get time to myself, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling and eating out.

Loretta Lipworth – Events Coordinator (loretta.lipworth@balfourbeatty.com) Loretta is a new entrant to the construction industry and with over 10 years’ experience working as a Designer in the film and TV industry, she aims to progress from her current role as an Administrator into Design Management. First-hand experience of the highs and lows of making a major career path change has given Loretta a particular interest in

how the construction industry attracts new talent, from school-leavers to those with many years of transferable skills and knowledge. Through working and living in diverse locations across the globe, Loretta has gained a keen appreciation for the necessity for diversity and access to development pathways in the workplace. Connecting with groups like NAWIC and attending seminars, CPD and networking events has been crucial every step of the way, and Loretta looks forward to working with the North West NAWIC committee to create and support these and other fantastic opportunities.

Jennifer Fisher – PR & Marketing Manager (jenniferfisher@buildingcareersuk.com) Jennifer is the Marketing Manager for specialist Construction and Property Recruitment firm Building Careers UK, and is based in the heart of Liverpool. Jennifer has a passion for all things marketing and communications; from social media to

content and branding, and is keen to ensure NAWIC is on the map across the North West. Having seen the talent this industry has to offer first hand through her involvement in recruitment processes and networking events at BCUK, she’s passionate about promoting construction as an exciting career choice with unlimited potential for more women and young people. Charlotte Miles – Events Coordinator (charlotte.miles@habiteo.com)

Charlotte is Business Development Manager at Habiteo - a French company providing 3D&VR tools to promote and sell new build real estate. Prior to this, she worked in various international development and communication roles within higher education. Her work focused on guiding individuals and facilitating their academic and professional mobility which included representing the UK in EU discussions on a wide

range of sectors. Charlotte really enjoys meeting new people, establishing and nurturing client relations as well as constantly expanding her knowledge, especially when it comes to innovation and new technologies. She regularly attends both social and professional events up and down the country and is looking forward to helping organise such events for the NAWIC NW branch and to connect and exchange with you all. On a personal note, Charlotte has for the past 9 years lived in Paris and is therefore bilingual. She is a zumba and ballet-barre addict and eagerly awaits her backpacking adventures each year.