DIVERSITY
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT D
espite progress made in recent years, women still make up around only 15% of the UK construction workforce and just 1% work in
manual trades.
Take specialist areas like architectural ironmongery and door hardware, for example, and you’ll find that it has traditionally been even lower. However, at architectural ironmongery supplier HOPPE, that is not necessarily the case.
Across departments and disciplines, there are several women in sales, technical and logistics roles helping to draw attention to career opportunities within a traditionally male-dominated industry.
HOPPE also focuses on creating a pipeline of talent, with an emphasis on improving diversity and increasing the proportion of female employees.
Sales executive Aimee Parry began at HOPPE as an apprentice, aged 17, and now manages her own sales area in the north of England. “We need to provide training – especially on how hardware works in real-life scenarios – for young people early on,” Parry says. “That kind of hands-on experience really makes a difference.” With a degree in industrial and product design and a suite of qualifications from the GAI, Jessica Puri is a technical executive for ARRONE, a HOPPE Group brand.
Puri initially joined ARRONE as a technical assistant in 2020s. Today, Puri highlights the scope of her current projects across Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.
“GAI training has played a very important part in the development of my career and enables the best support being provided to our customers,” Puri explains. “Being a registered member ensures I’m always up to date with the latest standards and best practices.”
Puri advocates for a diverse workforce and more development opportunities across roles, genders and ages. “A structured succession programme could help bring more women into key positions and build confidence early,” she says.
Emily Hayward, a stock controller who also works within logistics and distribution, oversees all exports from HOPPE (UK) to mainland Europe and the Middle East.
For Hayward, encouraging more women into Emily Walker Bib n Brace Bristo Own brand
Above: Aimee Parry, Sales executive, HOPPE Above right: Emily Hayward, stock controller, HOPPE. Right: Jessica Puri Technical Executive ARRONE.
logistics and operations starts with demystifying the job: “It’s about showing that detail-oriented, fast-paced work is a great fit for a diverse range of people – and that support and training are available.
“GAI training has given me the confidence to answer customer queries directly and find solutions quickly. “It means I’m not just moving boxes but am adding genuine value.” Elsewhere in the industry, painting and decorating firm Bagnalls has been working with its supply chain partners to combat a major issue that is common to many sectors, that one-size- fits-all clothing isn’t suitable for every user.
August 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
She decided to do something about it, and developed the company’s own Bagnalls-branded workwear, with options for both the male and female body. “This ensures that everyone feels comfortable, safe and equal at work. Each piece of clothing has been designed by us using invaluable feedback provided by our people.” It was also important to Bagnalls that the clothing range be sustainable. “Some of the workwear is even made from recycled bottles,” Slater explains. “Once the clothes are finished with, they are collected locally at our individual branches, so that they can be recycled into either car door insulation or industrial rags. Bagnalls is committed to doing what we can to make our business more environmentally friendly, doing our bit to help protect our planet.” Created in partnership with Stronghold, the bespoke work garments are stretchy, breathable and move with the body during physical work. The range encompasses t-shirts, trousers, footwear, high-visibility clothes and more – including the traditional bib and brace. “No one else offers a female-fit bib and brace,” Slater says. “It’s fantastic that we can offer this style of workwear, specifically made to fit the female body. However, it is also troubling that our industry hasn’t already identified and solved this problem. We want to correct this imbalance and make sure that the female members of our Bagnalls family feel empowered, safe and comfortable at work.” BMJ
31
BMJ talks to two companies that, recognising the current limitations of female representation in the sector, are doing something about it.
Becky Slater, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) at the company, says: “Almost all of the workwear used in our industry is intended for the male body and is therefore very oversized on a lot of women, especially those of us who are of a smaller build. There’s not a huge choice for women when it comes to PPE and workwear in the painting and decorating industry – and the choices we do have are usually limited to a shade of pink. I found a lot of the workwear uncomfortable to wear when on site and would often wear two pairs of thick socks to ensure that the work-issue boots fit my feet properly. Speaking to other female colleagues – and male colleagues who are of a smaller build – we realised we were all experiencing the same issues.”
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