A senior quantity surveyor who has worked in the new homes sector for the past 10 years has spoken of the positive changes experienced within the industry during that period.

Pollyanne Dewis, currently working with Miller Homes' West Midlands region based in Worcester, began her career in the property sector in 2014, and has seen first-hand how the industry has evolved over the past decade.

From the number of female employees being considered for roles within the sector, to reaching new heights with senior appointments, and instilling confidence in the next generation of female construction talent to join the industry, Pollyanne has seen it all in the last 10 years.

Miller Homes is currently building a 99-home development in Kenilworth, off Glasshouse Lane.

Pollyanne, 41, from Coventry, said: "The construction industry has come a long way in the past decade, certainly since I began working in the housing sector in 2014, and almost all of the changes we've seen have been wholly positive both for women and men working alongside each other.

"One thing which signalled a real shift in momentum from my personal experience was having strong, open-minded leaders within the companies I've worked for, to either employ, promote or champion the women within those roles based entirely on their ability to do the job, notwithstanding their gender in any way.

"When I started my first job as a trainee quantity surveyor, I was the only female in that role for the company I worked for at that time. Fast forward a decade and Miller Homes has a really even split in its workforce, with a great team spirit and everyone pulling towards the same overall goal, which makes you feel empowered regardless of whether you're a man or a woman."

The industry has changed so much, that Pollyanne felt confident enough to support her own daughter in her pursuit to become a quantity surveyor, and follow in her mum's footsteps.

Work underway at Miller Homes' Southcrest Rise development in Kenilworth (image by Miller Homes)

Pollyanne said: "My daughter is currently studying in Edinburgh for a degree which she ultimately hopes to lead towards her taking a role as a quantity surveyor herself. She has a placement lined up to take a role in the USA when her degree ends next year, which she's incredibly excited about.

"Perhaps 15-20 years ago, she would have taken a different route, or not even thought about working in construction at all, but the fact she has seen enough in my own career to want to achieve the same is credit to her and to the wider industry."

Miller Homes West Midlands' senior quantity surveyor is one of many women within the housing industry to be celebrating International Women's Day on 8th March, which falls within Women in Construction Week, running from 4 to 10 March 2024.

Pollyanne's hopes for the future is that Women in Construction Week continues to be celebrated, but in a slightly different way than it currently is.

She said: "Initiatives such as Women in Construction Week are fantastic to show the progress we've made within our industry, but ultimately we want to be seen as role models to the next generation of young women who want to have a successful career in the property sector, without being seen as 'different' for any reason.

"No woman wants to be a token gesture, and within Miller Homes I certainly get the feeling we've gone past that stage already – which has to be a positive signal for the wider industry, and the future of it."

To find out more about a career in construction with Miller Homes, visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/corporate/careers.aspx.

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