The future of the trades is being built right now.
Across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, construction and field service businesses are navigating the same pressures: rising demand, persistent labor shortages, and an urgent need to modernize. Women remain underrepresented in trade roles globally, making up roughly 11% of the U.S. construction workforce and about 15% in the UK. When looking at field-based roles in Australia, women only make up 2% of qualified trade workers.
At the same time, the industry is transforming. Robotics, automation, advanced equipment, and digital operating platforms are redefining what success on a jobsite looks like. Capability is increasingly measured by precision, technical expertise, systems thinking, and leadership.
On International Women’s Day, we recognize the women who are not only entering the trades, but reshaping them. They are leading businesses, driving operational clarity, adopting technology, and strengthening the workforce that will carry this industry forward.
The next era of construction will be defined by who steps into it and how boldly they build.
Andrea Lovell, Director at Heron Plumbing, Australia
Andrea’s journey into the plumbing industry began by supporting her husband Dale’s dream. Thirteen years ago, they purchased the company he worked for. What started as “helping out” quickly became operational leadership.
Today, Andrea co-runs Heron Plumbing — overseeing systems, workflows, and the structure that keeps the business running efficiently. Like many women in the trades, her role goes far beyond administration. She is deeply involved in process design, team alignment, and ensuring the business runs with clarity instead of chaos.
She also understands the isolation that can come with working in a male-dominated industry — particularly in smaller, home-based trades businesses. That’s why she actively fosters connection between women in the industry, creating space for conversations around leadership, support, and mental wellbeing.
Her advice:
Don’t let the male-dominated nature of the industry deter you. The trades need strong operational leaders, and there is room for you here. Build the right team, invest in the right systems, and back yourself — you can make a lasting impact in this field.
Brianna Baker, Business Strategic and Improvement Advisor at Tropical Coast Plumbing, Australia
Brianna’s path into trades was unexpected. Originally studying to become a paramedic, she stepped into an administration trainee role at Tropical Coast Plumbing in 2022. What followed was rapid growth.
She learned every layer of the business — scheduling, invoicing, safety, training, marketing — and by 21, secured a management role overseeing business strategy and operational improvement. In 2024, she became the youngest recipient of the Master Plumbers Andrea Vogler Woman in Business Award.
Brianna represents a growing shift in field service: leadership built through cross-functional understanding. The ability to see how scheduling impacts invoicing, how training affects compliance, and how process impacts profitability is increasingly critical.
Her advice:
Put yourself out there. Make mistakes. Learn quickly. Leadership in the trades is built through experience and ownership. Continuous learning will set you apart.
Debbie Williams, Co-founder at John Williams Heating Services, United Kingdom
With more than 21 years in plumbing and heating, Debbie Williams has built both a successful business and a reputation as an advocate for skills development and small business growth.
As Co-Founder of John Williams Heating Services, she has helped scale operations while navigating the realities of a traditionally male-dominated industry. Beyond her company, Debbie serves on the Government’s Small Business Forum, the Swindon and Wiltshire Economic Advisory Board, and as an Apprenticeship Ambassador — influencing workforce development and inclusivity in the trades.
Her leadership demonstrates something critical: the trades are not only technical — they are economic engines. Policy, skills development, and strategic growth matter just as much as technical expertise.
Her advice:
Be bold. Be persistent. The trades offer real opportunity — but growth requires confidence and conviction. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have.
Sonia Murton, Founder & Managing Director at Westbury FM, United Kingdom
As Founder & Managing Director of Westbury FM, Sonia Murton has built a thriving facilities management business while challenging long-standing industry norms.
Recognized among the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs and Top 100 Influential Women in Construction, Sonia pairs operational leadership with advocacy. She actively mentors women entering the facilities sector and promotes inclusive hiring and development practices.
Her leadership highlights a broader truth: field service businesses thrive when diverse perspectives shape problem-solving, customer service, and workforce strategy.
Her advice:
Go for it. Build your skills. Back yourself. With determination and the right support structure, the trades can offer a long, rewarding career.
Natalie Hart, General Manager at Catercall, United Kingdom
Natalie began as an Administration Assistant at Catercall, a business servicing and maintaining catering equipment. With no prior industry experience, she advanced to General Manager — overseeing daily service desk operations and business performance.
Her journey underscores something often overlooked: operational leadership in field service doesn’t always start in the field. It often starts in the office — where scheduling precision, customer communication, and process discipline determine whether jobs are profitable or chaotic.
Her advice:
It’s a challenging environment — but it’s rewarding. If you’re willing to learn and adapt, the trades will give you continuous opportunities to grow.
Suzi Donovan, Compliance & Contracts Manager at Turnpower Services, United Kingdom
Suzi entered a male-dominated field and built her credibility through persistence and performance. At Turnpower Services, she manages compliance and contracts for a leading integrated property maintenance provider.
Compliance isn’t optional in field service. It protects margins, reputation, and long-term viability. Suzi’s work ensures systems are adhered to, standards are met, and businesses remain accountable.
Her role highlights a key evolution in the trades: operational control is as valuable as technical skill.
Her advice:
Trust your abilities. Know your value. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you — and don’t be afraid to push boundaries.
Leanda Haig, Project Coordinator at Border Eco Systems, United Kingdom
After 20 years in the beauty industry, Leanda made a decisive pivot into trades. Now a Project Coordinator at Border Eco Systems, she ensures installations, maintenance work, and site visits run smoothly across biomass heating, HVAC, and plumbing projects.
Her success is rooted in organization, problem-solving, and communication — skills that directly impact project timelines and engineer efficiency.
Her story reinforces a powerful point: the trades benefit from transferable skills. Precision, customer care, and coordination are critical to project success.
Her advice:
Know your stuff. And if you don’t, ask questions and learn. When you speak, speak with knowledge. Your perspective has value — make sure it carries weight.
Dawn Lawrie, Managing Director at Ignite Consultancy Services, United Kingdom
Dawn began her career through an apprenticeship in business administration before moving through construction, property, and facilities management sectors. Her passion for systems and process maturity led her to co-found Ignite Consultancy Services, where she supports trades businesses in operational transformation.
Dawn’s philosophy is clear: sustainable growth happens when people, processes, and systems align. Innovation isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about refining workflows, building role-specific training, and using data to replace guesswork.
In an industry where growth can outpace structure, Dawn advocates for operational clarity as a competitive advantage.
Her advice:
Seize every learning opportunity. Growth in the trades comes from discipline, not luck. The skills you build — especially around systems and process — will define your leadership impact.
Breaking Barriers and Building the Future
The trades and field service sit at the center of economic growth. Infrastructure, housing, energy, public works, and essential services depend on businesses that can execute reliably and scale responsibly.
That responsibility requires leadership depth. It requires owners who understand margin at a granular level. Operators who can coordinate moving parts without friction. Technicians who combine craft with precision. Teams who use data to improve performance rather than react to problems.
Across global markets, women are part of that leadership depth. Not as a counterpoint to tradition, but as contributors to performance, innovation, and long-term stability. Their impact can be measured in stronger financial outcomes, more disciplined operations, smarter adoption of technology, and healthier company cultures.
The future strength of the trades and field service will not hinge on legacy assumptions. It will depend on who builds durable businesses, develops talent intentionally, and raises the standard of execution across the board.
The work continues. The standard rises. The industry moves forward.
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