While historically a male stronghold, the construction industry's narrative is evolving. Women, though often in supporting roles or overlooked entirely, have always been integral to its story. 

Overcoming societal barriers, a lack of mentorship, and ingrained biases, pioneering women bravely entered this challenging field. Their resilience sparked a slow but steady transformation. Today, we witness a growing presence of women, a testament to their enduring determination and the industry's gradual shift toward inclusivity.

NMSB Celebrates Tenacious Manager on International Women's Day

In celebration of International Women's Day, NMSB, a cornerstone of the New Forest construction community, is proud to highlight the notable career of one of their valued Builders Merchant Managers, Karen Dickie. Her journey, spanning decades, offers a compelling look at the evolving role of women in the traditionally male-dominated construction supply industry.

An Accidental Path, A Lasting Passion

"I fell into it by accident," she recalls, reflecting on her start in 1984 at Robert Adlards after a redundancy. "I went to the job centre... and I’m still here 30 years later, genuinely because I love what I do."

In the 1980s, the landscape was vastly different. "It was incredibly male-dominated; there really weren’t many women in the industry." However, her passion for customer service and the constant learning opportunities kept her engaged. "I liked working on the counter with the customers, constantly learning about every aspect of construction materials and how to build. Back then, we had to read very large manuals and work with suppliers to gain the knowledge to help a customer get the product they needed.”

Overcoming Challenges, Earning Respect

Her journey wasn't without its challenges. "When I first came into the industry, I can't deny it, one of the biggest challenges was sexism, ‘what do you know, ‘how do you know’ ‘can I speak to a man about this’– Men didn’t like being told what to do, or how to do something by a woman."

She overcame these hurdles by demonstrating her competence and building lasting relationships. "It was down to proving yourself and showing you’re capable. Having been in the industry for such a long time, I’m now seeing people’s children and grandchildren coming through and working in the industry. I’m a known face, and I've earned their respect.”

Industry Evolution and Balancing Life

Reflecting on the industry's transformation, she notes, "The business is constantly changing. I always say every day’s a school day. At NMSB, seeing how it’s evolved over the past few years has been vast."

Balancing a demanding career with a personal life, especially as a working mother, presented its own set of challenges. "Not just in this industry, but in any - when women have children, the boundaries change. You have to sort out childcare, then you have issues when they’re sick. My husband is self-employed, so he couldn’t always be there to help, and yes it was/is sometimes a constant battle and can be very stressful."

A Leader of Honesty and Integrity

When asked about being a role model, she humbly responds, "Not sure I’m a role model. I’m a hard task master, and my bark is worse than my bite! I think people know that I won’t pull the wool over their eyes.  I always try to be honest and open with customers and staff, and I think people respect that. I will always try to find a solution to help somebody. The customer is always the priority. I think our customers and my team know that I will always try and solve a problem or get a resolution for them."

Building a More Inclusive Future at NMSB

As one of the largest employers in New Milton, NMSB recognises the historical challenges women have faced in the construction industry. With women now comprising over 17% of the workforce (2% higher than the industry standard), the company is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive and supportive environment for all employees. To achieve this, they have implemented flexible working arrangements, actively championed the representation of women in leadership positions, improved welfare facilities, introduced leadership training to include areas such as Menopause, and they are committed to amplifying the visibility of women within the industry, thereby attracting and empowering future generations.

NMSB is a firm believer in investing in local talent and providing opportunities for individuals to launch fulfilling careers within the building trade. This commitment is exemplified by the warm welcome they extended to three new female trainees within the past year, demonstrating their proactive approach to diversifying the industry.

They proudly celebrate the invaluable contributions of women like Karen, their Builders Merchant Manager, whose dedication, resilience, and leadership inspire all. At NMSB, they are committed to building not just structures but a more equitable and inclusive future for the construction industry right here in their local community.