Award nomination for Suffolk businesswomen

A leading Suffolk businesswoman has been nominated for a top construction industry award.

Lucy Woodhall has been named in the National Federation of Builders (NFB) Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards, in recognition of her role as sales director at Persimmon Suffolk.

The 30-year-old, who is based at the Great Blakenham headquarters, said: “I am delighted to be nominated and it is amazing to be recognised for the work I am doing to support women in construction.

“I feel honoured to work in a sector where businesses and contractors are actively encouraging women to enter the construction industry, at all levels, and I feel proud to wake up every day to a job I love.”

The NFB Awards aim to showcase women in the sector and make female and non-binary role models more visible and accessible. The final Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction list will be announced in October.

Lucy joined Persimmon in 2011, aged just 19, as a trainee and quickly progressed from administrator to sales trainee, to sales advisor and then field sales manager. When the Suffolk regional business was launched at Great Blakenham in 2018, Lucy took on the head of sales role and within two years had been promoted to sales director.

She added: “The sales side of the construction industry is traditionally seen as being predominately female focused, and I’m actually all for trying to break this view.

“Across our business, we have so many talented women who not only sell but build, plan, design, buy land, tender materials, and deal with our valued customers. The list of women who play a huge role in the industry is endless.

“I believe it is vital to get the message out there that the construction industry offers fantastic career prospects for women.

“I am hugely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, enabling me to develop from a sales trainee 11 years ago to now sitting in a boardroom as a director.

“Throughout that time I have given it my all – from getting stuck in on site and pestering my site managers to help me learn more about construction methods, to helping our customers achieve their dream of home ownership.

“All of this experience has made me a strong, independent woman throughout my career, which I hope will continue to thrive over the next few years.”

Ian Hamilton, managing director of Persimmon Suffolk, said: “Lucy is a shining example of the tremendous career opportunities available in the construction industry.

“She came to the company as an office administrator and – through her ambition, hard work and determination – has quite rightly risen through the ranks to become a director in less than ten years.

“Lucy is a brilliant young businesswoman and is widely respected throughout the company and by suppliers and contractors, for her thorough knowledge of the industry and the local business environment.

“She is clear proof that young people can build fantastic, successful and long-term careers in this industry.”

Persimmon Suffolk operates new homes developments across the region. For more information about careers with the company visit www.persimmonhomes.com/jobs