WOMEN IN LIFTING Ӏ INDUSTRY INSIGHT
GILL RILEY, CBE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GGR GROUP
Gill Riley is managing director of GGR Group. Gill co-founded the company in 1995 with a vision to bring innovative lifting solutions to the UK market. Over the past three decades
she has transformed the business from a small family-run operation with an initial £5,000 investment into a £37 million compact crane and lifting equipment business. Today, GGR Group employs over 150 staff members across three depots in Oldham, Haddenham, and Glasgow, providing specialist solutions to construction, glazing, and other industries. In the 2025 King’s New Year’s
Honours List Gill has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of her services to the lifting industry. This CBE is a testament to her relentless drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to advancing industry standards while championing sustainability and safety in construction and engineering. Beyond her professional
achievements, Gill is also celebrated for her efforts to inspire and mentor the next generation of industry leaders, encouraging innovation and gender diversity within traditionally male- dominated sectors.
The construction and lifting industries are traditionally male-dominated. Have you faced any particular challenges as a woman in this field? As a woman working in the construction industry, I've seen firsthand the pressure that women often feel to prove themselves in what is still largely seen as a male-dominated environment. However, this shouldn’t be the
40 CRANES TODAY Managing
director and co-founder of GGR Group, Gill Riley CBE
a crane operator on some of the city’s biggest and most prestigious construction projects. Further to this, many of our managerial roles are led by women. At GGR Group, we take immense pride in championing female advocacy and leadership within the construction industry. It's part of who we are.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the lifting industry?
case. Your skills and abilities are what truly matter, not your gender. There may be times when others doubt you simply because you’re a woman, but it’s important not to let that shake your confidence. Trust in your training, your experience, and your ability to keep learning and growing.
How does GGR Group support diversity and inclusion in the workplace? As a woman working in construction and part of a family- run business, my brother Graeme and I have always been committed to encouraging female talent within GGR Group. We're incredibly proud of the
women who’ve made their mark in our business. Notably, Kirsty Parkin, who started as an operator here and went on to become a surveyor and appointed person, specifying equipment for some of the most high-profile infrastructure projects in London. Additionally, operator Olivia
Rollinson has made her mark as a crane operator in the North, contributing to National Grid lifting projects. My daughter, Harley Parkin, has recently joined the team as an Account Manager in London after two years of hands-on experience working as
One of the most valuable things you can do is connect with other women in the industry. There are numerous networks
and organisations dedicated to supporting women in construction and lifting, offering advice, camaraderie, and career opportunities. LinkedIn, for example, is an excellent platform to build relationships and share knowledge with other women who can offer support and inspiration. There will be moments of
frustration or challenges along the way, especially when navigating a traditionally male-dominated space. Keep pushing through, stay resilient, and don’t let setbacks define you. Each challenge is an opportunity to prove your capabilities and strengthen your character. By succeeding and showing up, you’re helping to change the narrative for future generations of women in construction. Also, remember to have fun in the industry - it’s an amazing industry to be involved in. I walk around London and know as a company we have had an impact on so many of the new buildings in the city, it’s something to be proud of. There are some amazing people in the industry - don’t let the minority put you off.
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