Jo Ellis inspires women to look at careers in construction

To mark Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day 2024, we hear from Jo Ellis, Development Manager at Castles and Coasts Housing Association (CCHA). 

Jo, pictured (front) on site in Blyth, said: “My career in housing started whilst working for a North East local authority. They had decided to dispose of redundant assets to enable affordable housing and I was given the task of looking at feasibility options.  

“From the outset, I found that the sector in the North East is a small world and the people working in it are generous in sharing their time and information, encouraging me in the early stages of my career. 

“My experiences since have been so varied that I can’t list them all! I have been lucky to work with so many creative and solution focused professionals, delivering some ground breaking projects and schemes. I’ve worked in deep rural communities helping local people create much needed homes and in urban areas to disrupt models of housing design and finance.  I have even spent a week living in an older person’s community in Stockholm! 

“I have been blown away by the determination of communities to bring forward affordable and accessible places to live. During my exciting career, I have met at least four housing ministers to lobby for change in legalisation and create national funding streams. 

“No two days are the same and in my current role as Development Manager at CCHA, occasionally, but increasingly less so, I’m the only woman at the table. In some recent design team meetings, there has been an all-female line up of technical consultants and advisors. 

“I am confident in my role to direct and lead the process of delivering affordable homes and I feel respected and supported by my colleagues, regardless of their or my gender.  

“To any women thinking of a career in construction, I whole heartedly recommend you explore the many and varied career options in this sector and don’t limit yourself to those traditionally associated with women. If I can do this, you definitely can! 

“Women have so much to contribute to creating and designing homes and places that are inclusive, fun, and robust places to live.”