Levelling Up with Women in Construction Week 2026

This year, the focus for Women in Construction week is ‘Level Up. Build Strong’. This theme looks at the opportunities for growth within the construction industry, as well as highlighting the importance for resilience and representation to help shape the future of the industry.

To help give us a perspective on levelling up within the construction industry, we sat down with Senior Project Manager, Gemma Kenyon, to ask about her experiences. This year she stepped into the role of Senior Project Manager with Rhino Interiors. Gemma shares some of her own advice as well as what she feels still needs to change for women in the industry.

What stands out for you as some of the areas you have been successful in to help you shape your career within the construction industry?

“You earn your place by being a ‘real’ communicator, having strong emotional intelligence and thoroughly understanding your people, projects and programmes. I believe in transparent and honest communication with all my clients and contractors because, at the end of the day, we are all human and clarity and honesty builds trust.

Being a construction project manager has taught me so much resilience, confidence and how to lead when under vast amounts of pressure. Anyone can manage things when they are going well, but real leadership shows when they’re not. There will always be times when something tests your programme that you cannot foresee. Whether this is late deliveries, design gaps, or unforeseen site conditions, sometimes things happen that are out of our control.”

Which areas do you think you have levelled up in to help you handle some of these scenarios?

“I feel in the last 12 months I have levelled up to realise that it is important that you don’t panic, stay calm, and present the problem with a solution. The best way of doing this is to keep clear communication throughout so you, and everyone you’re working with, has all the information possible.

Your energy really does set the tone for the whole site. This is one of the biggest things I have had to learn as a perfectionist, and it is one of the things I am most proud of and will continue to do in order to keep developing myself further.”

Do you feel that there’s ever a misconception about what project managers do? And what’s the reality?

“Well, many people think my job involves sitting drinking coffee, sending emails and looking at a single programme. In reality I am managing all the moving parts at the same time. This is anything from dealing with multiple programmes, negotiating without damaging strong working partnerships, solving design problems, protecting the programme at all costs, making calls and sending emails at 07:30am every day. But I enjoy working in this type of environment because I feel like I belong here.

Naturally everyone should strive to level up in their roles but for you, what stands out as something women working in the construction industry should think about?

“For other women to level up, we need to keep showing what is possible and realising there is something so rewarding about turning a drawing and a visual into a reality.

If you asked me five years ago if I saw myself as a Senior Project Manager then the answer would have been no. However, as soon as I realised I was accepted for just being me, my determination grew to learn more. You must never be afraid to ask a ‘stupid’ question or ask for a contractor to show how something works, because that is how we all learn right?! And more importantly, you must know you can add value because you do deserve a seat at that table!”

Getting time to speak with Gemma really helped shine a light on the importance of awareness and pushing yourself to level up and build strong. Reports state that the UK construction workforce is made up of approximately 15% women and with potential threats to workforce shortages in the future. Women are a key part of ensuring the sector continues to grow.

At Rhino Interiors, we focus on hiring great people that contribute to our business culture but also because they’re the right people for the job. Our team is made up of 50% women, with 50% our senior leadership team also being represented by 50% women. Building our teams comes from understanding skillsets and qualities but also from giving people opportunities to do great things.