WOMEN IN LIFTING Ӏ INDUSTRY INSIGHT


WOMEN WONDER


Six inspirational women working in the UK lifting industry share insight, and advice, into what it’s like being a woman working in a male-dominated industry, highlighting the value that more women in the workforce women can bring.


The 8th March is International Woman’s Day. The day is designed to honour the achievements of women across all aspects of life – social, economic, cultural, and political – while also advocating for gender equality. To celebrate the occasion, and to help raise awareness of


the benefits of greater gender balance in the lifting arena, we invited a selection of high-profile women working in the UK lifting industry to share their thoughts on the subject. Over the next few pages


Andrea Lowrie and her sister Hayley Sutch from John Sutch


Cranes, the CPA’s Katie Kelleher, Gill Riley from GGR, Sarah Spivey from Modulift, and Leanne Whitehurst-Maiden, national digitalisation manager at Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) share insights about the realities of being a woman in lifting and offer some wise words of advice...


ANDREA LOWRIE, HR DIRECTOR, AND HAYLEY SUTCH, DIRECTOR, JOHN SUTCH CRANES


With three decades of experience in the crane industry, Hayley Sutch has worked through all areas of the business, including purchase ledger, credit control, health and safety, and the hire desk. Her understanding of the industry and her extensive hands- on experience have been pivotal to the growth and success of John Sutch Cranes. Hayley oversees the day-to-


day running of the business and is responsible for key decision- making processes. Her leadership ensures the smooth operation of the company, maintaining high standards of service and safety. Andrea Lowrie joined John


Sutch Cranes in 1993, bringing her extensive experience and


34 CRANES TODAY


dedication to the Administration Department. As the HR Director, Andrea has been a vital part of the team for over three decades. Andrea is responsible for


processing weekly and monthly payroll, enrolling employees in the pension scheme, and managing holiday bookings. Her role is crucial in ensuring smooth HR operations and maintaining employee satisfaction.


Can you tell us who you are, a bit about the history of your crane hire company, and how you got involved in the lifting business? John Sutch Cranes is a family-run business with a strong reputation for reliability, expertise, and safety in crane hire. Established by our


dad, John Sutch, the company has grown to become one of the leading names in the UK's crane and lifting industry. We provide cutting-edge work


for construction, infrastructure, and specialist lifting projects. As directors, we have been immersed in the business from an early age, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of operations, from logistics to client management. We both have separate roles in the business, Andrea more the people and HR aspects; Hayley more operational. But you could find us both in the yard with dad or in the back office with mum.


What inspired you to join and take leadership roles in the company?


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