One of the leading voices pushing for greater inclusion in the construction sector – Renée Preston – is to speak at a major event in Liverpool organised by building firm Frank Rogers. Tony McDonough reports
A leading voice in the push for greater inclusion in the construction sector, Renée Preston, will be among a six-strong panel of speakers addressing a major Women in Construction Week event in Liverpool.
Taking place on Thursday, March 5, the event will bring together speakers from across leadership, frontline trades, skills and education, recruitment and social value, to explore how the industry can improve access, workplace culture and long-term retention for women.
Renée, chief executive of Gallaway Construction and founder of Construction for Women CIC. In 2025, Renée received 15 industry accolades, including five awards in one evening at the Construction News Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering Awards. She also won Businesswoman of the year in STEM & Construction in 2025.
Through founding Construction for Women, she has built a national platform focused on workforce inclusion, early talent access and measurable social value delivery across the built environment.
She is the author of the Construction for Women National Site Standard — a formal framework designed to improve female inclusion, welfare standards and behavioural culture across UK construction sites.
Her work spans collaboration with contractors, educators and policymakers to address skills shortages and improve long-term workforce sustainability.
Speaking previously on industry reform, Renée said: “If we want change in construction, we have to lead from the front. It’s about creating a visible, practical pathway where young women can see, experience and believe that construction is a place where they belong.”
“At Gallaway Construction, that approach is embedded through structured placements, T Level engagement, apprenticeships, graduate development and hands-on site experience programmes.”
She will be joined by five other panel members, each bringing a different perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, from education pathways and recruitment to lived experience on site and organisational culture.
The event is being curated by Rachel Walker, head of marketing and communications at Frank Rogers, which is sponsoring the event.
Rachel also sits on the committee for the Save Construction Initiative and will be speaking on the day about Not Just Men in Muddy Boots, a campaign challenging outdated perceptions of construction careers and fostering a more welcoming and inclusive culture.
“Renée is a hugely respected voice in the North West construction sector, but this event is deliberately about bringing multiple voices into the room,” said Rachel.
“While more than 340,000 women currently work in UK construction, they represent just 15% of the workforce, with only around 2% in on-site trade roles.
“At Frank Rogers, we believe this must change, and events like this are about having practical, honest conversations rather than ticking boxes.”
The six-person panel also includes Steph Leese, founder of The Pink Plasterer, bringing frontline trade experience and insight into apprenticeships and site culture; Kate Webb, who supports the Liverpool City Region Local Skills Improvement Plan; and Claire Fenton, chief executive of Construction Resources and founder of Inspire Train Grow.
Family-owned Frank Rogers was founded more than 50 years ago and now operates nationally across construction, fire protection and building safety.
Managing director Dean Rogers said the company’s continued growth has been driven by a willingness to challenge traditional thinking.
He added: “Encouraging more women into construction is not just the right thing to do, it’s essential if we’re serious about building a sustainable workforce.”
The event takes place from 4pm to 7.30pm at Hope Street Hotel and will include discussion around the Girls in Construction pilot programme, launched earlier this year in all-girls secondary schools to introduce young women to construction careers at an earlier stage.
Dozens of people have already signed up to attend, with places still available. Click here for more details.