News
Keep up to date with the latest news from Kent Constructing Excellence and G4C
Keep up to date with the latest news from Kent Constructing Excellence and G4C
I founded G4C Kent in October 2023 to provide a collaborative, comfortable space for our emerging Built Environment professionals in Kent to network and build long lasting relationships to accelerate their careers. This International Women’s Day, I feel it is important to share stories of the women in our industry striving to make it better for women in the future.
So, I’m taking a moment to reflect on my journey as a woman in construction — an industry I’m incredibly proud to be part of.
I joined the industry in 2018, after I completed a French and Italian degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury. And I hear you – how did I end up in construction after studying languages? Well, I realised while studying that a career in translating would be quite solitary and I wanted to work with people and different teams. At the time, Willmott Dixon and my ex-employer, Faithful+Gould, were working on a new project on my campus. They attended the Careers Fair that year, and it was a random conversation with one of their Project Directors at the time that led me to consider a career in project management.
I’ve been a Project Manager for nearly 8 years now and have delivered some incredible schemes, across sectors such as education, health, Central and Local Government, and commercial fit-out. I’ve learned over the years that my role depends largely on my soft skills. Studying languages has meant I have developed great communication, people, and problem-solving skills – both fundamental for what I do as a Project Manager.
In the last year, I’ve moved into a new role with Woodley Coles where I’m looking to build a project management team of my own. Whilst this is super exciting, it’s also a new challenge where I’ve really questioned my confidence. However, I’ve grown in more ways than I could have imagined this time last year and that makes me really proud. I took some time to reflect on my career at the start of this year and it amazes me how I’ve ended up here. For me, that’s what I love about working in the construction industry: no day is ever the same and the opportunities to progress are incredibly diverse.
I’ve had the privilege of working with so many extraordinary people who value collaboration, progress, and fresh perspectives. As a woman, I have seen mindsets shift and the environment around me changing for the better. On most occasions now, I am no longer the only woman in the room as the split is often 50/50.
I’ve recently handed over as Chair of G4C Kent and have taken on the role of Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent. This will be a great opportunity for me to continue working with great people to create environments where everyone feels heard, trusted, and empowered to speak up and challenge the status quo in our industry.
This day for me is about celebrating equal opportunity for all, regardless of your gender. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of many great women (and men!) across our industry, and it is this that drives me to support and encourage others to succeed.
Happy International Women’s Day,
Ellie x
Ellie Farlow, Founding Chair of G4C Kent and Project Management Lead at Woodley Coles
When people ask how I ended up working in construction, I always say it wasn’t the obvious path.
My background is in service marketing, including law and recruitment, and I studied Business Management and Spanish at university, so construction wasn’t necessarily where I expected my career to take me. Just over five years ago, I joined Modus as a Marketing & Bid Co-ordinator, and over time that role evolved into Marketing and Business Development Manager, a progression that reflects not only my own growth but also the opportunities the construction industry can offer to people from different backgrounds.
Today, I help shape our brand, build relationships and tell the stories behind the projects and people that make our industry what it is. From digital marketing and events to networking and strategic communications, my role gives me a unique perspective on how construction continues to evolve.
I genuinely love working in construction, even though I’m not in a technical role. Marketing and Business Development might sit outside the traditional project delivery team, but it’s incredibly rewarding to help connect people, showcase great work and support the growth of a sector that has such a visible impact on communities.
Coming into the industry from outside, I quickly realised just how broad and welcoming the opportunities can be. As a woman working in construction, I’m passionate about challenging outdated perceptions and helping others see that there are many different routes into the sector. The more diverse the voices around the table, the stronger our teams and outcomes become.
I’m also incredibly proud to be part of a business that invests in future talent through apprenticeships, supporting young people from school through to degree level and RICS Chartership. Networking, mentorship and collaboration have played a big part in my own journey, and I’m keen to encourage others, especially women considering construction, to see the industry as a place where they can thrive.
This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the women across construction who are helping shape the future of the industry, and reflecting on how far we’ve come, while recognising there’s always more we can do to open doors for the next generation.
Natasha Gould, Vice Chair of G4C Kent and Marketing and Business Development Manager at Modus
My journey into construction wasn’t planned, but it became one of the most rewarding decisions of my career. I didn’t follow a traditional academic path or set out to join the industry. I started with a marketing apprenticeship, and from there I simply followed the opportunities, the people, and the work that inspired me.
My first step into construction was as a Regional Business Development Coordinator, supporting five different BDMs across the region. It was fast-paced, demanding and a huge learning curve, but it taught me how much I thrive in environments where there’s pressure, collaboration and variety. I later stepped up to Assistant Business Development Manager before eventually moving into my current role as Proposals Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction.
As a Proposals Manager, creativity, organisation and teamwork are at the heart of everything I do. Bids come with tight deadlines and high expectations and although that pressure can be challenging, it’s also the part I love most. There’s nothing quite like the moment a win comes through. You can physically see the energy in the office lift, knowing the work you put in helped make that happen. Preconstruction is where every project starts, and playing a part in shaping that beginning still feels incredibly rewarding.
Working in construction has also opened my eyes to how many different paths exist in this industry, not just the technical ones. I came in without a degree, without a traditional background, and without a clear roadmap and yet, I’ve been able to grow, progress and build a career I’m genuinely proud of.
As a woman in construction, I’ve learned that you don’t need to “fit the mould” to belong here. The industry needs different perspectives, different strengths and different stories. If there’s anything I hope other women especially younger women take from my journey, it’s this:
You don’t need a traditional background or a perfect plan to begin. This industry has room for all kinds of strengths and perspectives, and your contribution can genuinely make a difference. Your skills, ideas and experiences can open doors not just for you, but for others who come after you.
This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the women who show up, lift others up, challenge assumptions and continue to push our industry forward. I’m proud to be part of a sector that is evolving, and proud of the small part I play in its future.
Zara Rhodes, G4C Kent Committee Member and Proposals Manager at Morgan Sindall
As Christmas is approaching, now is a great time to reflect on everything we have achieved this year – as individuals, as a Club, and as a whole industry.
I want to begin by thanking someone who is very well known and loved in our industry – Cheryl Causebrook. Cheryl has been the Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent for ten years. Yes, you heard that right… TEN years! It goes without saying that the Club would not be in the position it’s in today without Cheryl’s persistent drive, effort, and determination to make our Kent construction industry a better place. So, Cheryl, from the bottom of my heart and all our members’, we cannot thank you enough for everything you have done as Chair. She won’t be escaping that easily though I’m afraid, as Cheryl will remain on the committee as a foundation of knowledge as our Past Chair.
So, what have been the highlights of 2025? As a Club, we have continued to run engaging and thought-provoking quarterly events where we have explored many topics relating to this year’s theme ‘Communication, Collaboration, and Compliance’. The breadth of guest speakers we have had has been astounding and a big heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of these speakers – our Club would not operate without your valuable time and expertise.
2025 has been a year full of both promise and pressure, as we as an industry have faced declines in construction activity, greater regulatory compliance, and an ongoing skills shortage. The ‘collaboration’ word is thrown around too loosely and not enough action is being taken to enhance efficiency in the way we work.
Let’s change the narrative for 2026. Let’s take our conversations and actually put plans into action for how we, as a Club, can help to change the agenda in our industry. Just through being a member of Constructing Excellence, you have already demonstrated your commitment to making our industry a better place. So, let’s take it further.
At our last event of 2025, we had a roundtable discussion on what our theme should be for 2026. Whilst many great suggestions were made (not all one word though, may I add!), there was one central theme running throughout – efficiency. How can we be more efficient as an industry? In utilising AI? In creating a more sustainable future? Next year, with efficiency as our overarching theme, we will take a deeper dive into the ways in which we can be more efficient to drive positive change.
As I step into the role of Chair, I am really excited to continue Cheryl’s great work and encourage the sharing of best practice and knowledge that we all have as individuals and organisations. There are many networking groups in the construction industry, but I believe it is this cross-sector knowledge sharing environment that gives us the edge. With a new Chair comes change, but I can assure you change can be good. Expect nothing less than what you’re already used to, but a greater focus on our members, their skills and capabilities, and how can all share these to become better together.
So, before we all take a well-deserved break over the Christmas period, my ask of you all members is to be bold in 2026. Shout about your achievements, be brave to ask questions in areas you want to improve in, and leverage the great network we have in each other to become more efficient.
Thank you to every single one of our members and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Ellie Farlow
Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent
Our next event will be on Wednesday 14th January 2026 at the Tudor Marriott Golf and Country Club in Maidstone. See you there!
You really showed up!!
From darts to mini-golf, and from shuffle boards to axe throwing, over 70 of you showed up to our G4C Kent event on March 7th and made it an unforgettable evening!
Having launched just six months ago in October 2023, as a committee we’re truly overwhelmed with the response we’ve received to date and can’t believe we had a sold out event last month. This shows the need across Kent and within our wider industry for communities such as G4C Kent that promote early-career networking, the organic development of professional relationships, learning and professional development opportunities, and of course a lot of fun too!
G4C Kent’s aim is to enhance our diversity and opportunities to connect and collaborate with a variety of disciplines across the Kent construction network and we will hold quarterly events that revolve around networking and learning. We will alternate each event to allow for CPD elements, encouraging us all to expand our construction knowledge and ensure our industry is fit for the future.
Our March event was kindly sponsored by b&m, a quantity surveying and construction consultancy with offices in Canterbury and Brighton, who are passionate about promoting NextGen careers. For future events, we will look to seek sponsorship from other likeminded organisations within Kent to support the growth of our future leaders. If you’re interested in sponsoring a future event, please reach out to us.
Our next event will be taking place on Thursday 13th June from 4-8pm. This time you can expect another interesting evening involving both networking and CPD that features art, culture, and regeneration. So save the date and stay tuned to find out more, with further comms expected to be released in the coming month.
Finally, as a plea from the committee, we would politely ask that everyone who wishes to attend our events registers their interest in advance. As we’ve had a lot of interest to date, this helps us plan our venues and capacity requirements. For each event, there will be an Eventbrite sign up but you’re also welcome to email ellie.carswell@atkinsrealis.com to be added to the attendee list.
A huge thank you once again for coming along to support our March event and we can’t wait to see you all again soon in June!
As Christmas is approaching, now is a great time to reflect on everything we have achieved this year – as individuals, as a Club, and as a whole industry.
I want to begin by thanking someone who is very well known and loved in our industry – Cheryl Causebrook. Cheryl has been the Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent for ten years. Yes, you heard that right… TEN years! It goes without saying that the Club would not be in the position it’s in today without Cheryl’s persistent drive, effort, and determination to make our Kent construction industry a better place. So, Cheryl, from the bottom of my heart and all our members’, we cannot thank you enough for everything you have done as Chair. She won’t be escaping that easily though I’m afraid, as Cheryl will remain on the committee as a foundation of knowledge as our Past Chair.
So, what have been the highlights of 2025? As a Club, we have continued to run engaging and thought-provoking quarterly events where we have explored many topics relating to this year’s theme ‘Communication, Collaboration, and Compliance’. The breadth of guest speakers we have had has been astounding and a big heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of these speakers – our Club would not operate without your valuable time and expertise.
2025 has been a year full of both promise and pressure, as we as an industry have faced declines in construction activity, greater regulatory compliance, and an ongoing skills shortage. The ‘collaboration’ word is thrown around too loosely and not enough action is being taken to enhance efficiency in the way we work.
Let’s change the narrative for 2026. Let’s take our conversations and actually put plans into action for how we, as a Club, can help to change the agenda in our industry. Just through being a member of Constructing Excellence, you have already demonstrated your commitment to making our industry a better place. So, let’s take it further.
At our last event of 2025, we had a roundtable discussion on what our theme should be for 2026. Whilst many great suggestions were made (not all one word though, may I add!), there was one central theme running throughout – efficiency. How can we be more efficient as an industry? In utilising AI? In creating a more sustainable future? Next year, with efficiency as our overarching theme, we will take a deeper dive into the ways in which we can be more efficient to drive positive change.
As I step into the role of Chair, I am really excited to continue Cheryl’s great work and encourage the sharing of best practice and knowledge that we all have as individuals and organisations. There are many networking groups in the construction industry, but I believe it is this cross-sector knowledge sharing environment that gives us the edge. With a new Chair comes change, but I can assure you change can be good. Expect nothing less than what you’re already used to, but a greater focus on our members, their skills and capabilities, and how can all share these to become better together.
So, before we all take a well-deserved break over the Christmas period, my ask of you all members is to be bold in 2026. Shout about your achievements, be brave to ask questions in areas you want to improve in, and leverage the great network we have in each other to become more efficient.
Thank you to every single one of our members and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Ellie Farlow
Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent
Our next event will be on Wednesday 14th January 2026 at the Tudor Marriott Golf and Country Club in Maidstone. See you there!
I founded G4C Kent in October 2023 to provide a collaborative, comfortable space for our emerging Built Environment professionals in Kent to network and build long lasting relationships to accelerate their careers. This International Women’s Day, I feel it is important to share stories of the women in our industry striving to make it better for women in the future.
So, I’m taking a moment to reflect on my journey as a woman in construction — an industry I’m incredibly proud to be part of.
I joined the industry in 2018, after I completed a French and Italian degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury. And I hear you – how did I end up in construction after studying languages? Well, I realised while studying that a career in translating would be quite solitary and I wanted to work with people and different teams. At the time, Willmott Dixon and my ex-employer, Faithful+Gould, were working on a new project on my campus. They attended the Careers Fair that year, and it was a random conversation with one of their Project Directors at the time that led me to consider a career in project management.
I’ve been a Project Manager for nearly 8 years now and have delivered some incredible schemes, across sectors such as education, health, Central and Local Government, and commercial fit-out. I’ve learned over the years that my role depends largely on my soft skills. Studying languages has meant I have developed great communication, people, and problem-solving skills – both fundamental for what I do as a Project Manager.
In the last year, I’ve moved into a new role with Woodley Coles where I’m looking to build a project management team of my own. Whilst this is super exciting, it’s also a new challenge where I’ve really questioned my confidence. However, I’ve grown in more ways than I could have imagined this time last year and that makes me really proud. I took some time to reflect on my career at the start of this year and it amazes me how I’ve ended up here. For me, that’s what I love about working in the construction industry: no day is ever the same and the opportunities to progress are incredibly diverse.
I’ve had the privilege of working with so many extraordinary people who value collaboration, progress, and fresh perspectives. As a woman, I have seen mindsets shift and the environment around me changing for the better. On most occasions now, I am no longer the only woman in the room as the split is often 50/50.
I’ve recently handed over as Chair of G4C Kent and have taken on the role of Chair of Constructing Excellence Kent. This will be a great opportunity for me to continue working with great people to create environments where everyone feels heard, trusted, and empowered to speak up and challenge the status quo in our industry.
This day for me is about celebrating equal opportunity for all, regardless of your gender. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of many great women (and men!) across our industry, and it is this that drives me to support and encourage others to succeed.
Happy International Women’s Day,
Ellie x
Ellie Farlow, Founding Chair of G4C Kent and Project Management Lead at Woodley Coles
When people ask how I ended up working in construction, I always say it wasn’t the obvious path.
My background is in service marketing, including law and recruitment, and I studied Business Management and Spanish at university, so construction wasn’t necessarily where I expected my career to take me. Just over five years ago, I joined Modus as a Marketing & Bid Co-ordinator, and over time that role evolved into Marketing and Business Development Manager, a progression that reflects not only my own growth but also the opportunities the construction industry can offer to people from different backgrounds.
Today, I help shape our brand, build relationships and tell the stories behind the projects and people that make our industry what it is. From digital marketing and events to networking and strategic communications, my role gives me a unique perspective on how construction continues to evolve.
I genuinely love working in construction, even though I’m not in a technical role. Marketing and Business Development might sit outside the traditional project delivery team, but it’s incredibly rewarding to help connect people, showcase great work and support the growth of a sector that has such a visible impact on communities.
Coming into the industry from outside, I quickly realised just how broad and welcoming the opportunities can be. As a woman working in construction, I’m passionate about challenging outdated perceptions and helping others see that there are many different routes into the sector. The more diverse the voices around the table, the stronger our teams and outcomes become.
I’m also incredibly proud to be part of a business that invests in future talent through apprenticeships, supporting young people from school through to degree level and RICS Chartership. Networking, mentorship and collaboration have played a big part in my own journey, and I’m keen to encourage others, especially women considering construction, to see the industry as a place where they can thrive.
This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the women across construction who are helping shape the future of the industry, and reflecting on how far we’ve come, while recognising there’s always more we can do to open doors for the next generation.
Natasha Gould, Vice Chair of G4C Kent and Marketing and Business Development Manager at Modus
My journey into construction wasn’t planned, but it became one of the most rewarding decisions of my career. I didn’t follow a traditional academic path or set out to join the industry. I started with a marketing apprenticeship, and from there I simply followed the opportunities, the people, and the work that inspired me.
My first step into construction was as a Regional Business Development Coordinator, supporting five different BDMs across the region. It was fast-paced, demanding and a huge learning curve, but it taught me how much I thrive in environments where there’s pressure, collaboration and variety. I later stepped up to Assistant Business Development Manager before eventually moving into my current role as Proposals Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction.
As a Proposals Manager, creativity, organisation and teamwork are at the heart of everything I do. Bids come with tight deadlines and high expectations and although that pressure can be challenging, it’s also the part I love most. There’s nothing quite like the moment a win comes through. You can physically see the energy in the office lift, knowing the work you put in helped make that happen. Preconstruction is where every project starts, and playing a part in shaping that beginning still feels incredibly rewarding.
Working in construction has also opened my eyes to how many different paths exist in this industry, not just the technical ones. I came in without a degree, without a traditional background, and without a clear roadmap and yet, I’ve been able to grow, progress and build a career I’m genuinely proud of.
As a woman in construction, I’ve learned that you don’t need to “fit the mould” to belong here. The industry needs different perspectives, different strengths and different stories. If there’s anything I hope other women especially younger women take from my journey, it’s this:
You don’t need a traditional background or a perfect plan to begin. This industry has room for all kinds of strengths and perspectives, and your contribution can genuinely make a difference. Your skills, ideas and experiences can open doors not just for you, but for others who come after you.
This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating the women who show up, lift others up, challenge assumptions and continue to push our industry forward. I’m proud to be part of a sector that is evolving, and proud of the small part I play in its future.
Zara Rhodes, G4C Kent Committee Member and Proposals Manager at Morgan Sindall
You really showed up!!
From darts to mini-golf, and from shuffle boards to axe throwing, over 70 of you showed up to our G4C Kent event on March 7th and made it an unforgettable evening!
Having launched just six months ago in October 2023, as a committee we’re truly overwhelmed with the response we’ve received to date and can’t believe we had a sold out event last month. This shows the need across Kent and within our wider industry for communities such as G4C Kent that promote early-career networking, the organic development of professional relationships, learning and professional development opportunities, and of course a lot of fun too!
G4C Kent’s aim is to enhance our diversity and opportunities to connect and collaborate with a variety of disciplines across the Kent construction network and we will hold quarterly events that revolve around networking and learning. We will alternate each event to allow for CPD elements, encouraging us all to expand our construction knowledge and ensure our industry is fit for the future.
Our March event was kindly sponsored by b&m, a quantity surveying and construction consultancy with offices in Canterbury and Brighton, who are passionate about promoting NextGen careers. For future events, we will look to seek sponsorship from other likeminded organisations within Kent to support the growth of our future leaders. If you’re interested in sponsoring a future event, please reach out to us.
Our next event will be taking place on Thursday 13th June from 4-8pm. This time you can expect another interesting evening involving both networking and CPD that features art, culture, and regeneration. So save the date and stay tuned to find out more, with further comms expected to be released in the coming month.
Finally, as a plea from the committee, we would politely ask that everyone who wishes to attend our events registers their interest in advance. As we’ve had a lot of interest to date, this helps us plan our venues and capacity requirements. For each event, there will be an Eventbrite sign up but you’re also welcome to email ellie.carswell@atkinsrealis.com to be added to the attendee list.
A huge thank you once again for coming along to support our March event and we can’t wait to see you all again soon in June!