WIM3 INWED: Women's Safety in the Workplace

Helen Russ

Area Sales Manager , Blåkläder Workwear LTD

Helen has been working as an Area Sales Manager at Blaklader Workwear for just over a year and a half.  She previously worked at a large industrial consumables manufacturer for 5 years as an ASM in charge of a team of 10 sales consultants. To start with, she was one of two female sales managers, but very quickly became the only one. Helen says ‘I feel I can understand what women in the construction industry are going through, as being the only woman sales manager in a company of circa 500 was full of ridiculous and unnecessary challenges!’.

 

In her short time at Blaklader Helen says she has been disappointed to see the lack of support workers receive from their employers in terms of safe and comfortable workwear, particularly women. Educating customers (both distributors and endusers) is her huge passion, and slowly but surely she has found that people are wising up. What helps is what Blaklader as a brand is doing for women, and women getting more confident to ask for what is right for them.

 

Maria Holloway-Strong

Geotechnical Engineer, Atkins

Maria is a geotechnical engineer, working in the Ground Engineering and Tunnelling Division for Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group. She has a BSC in Exploration and Mining Geology from Cardiff University, a MSc in Engineering Geology from Imperial College and a PhD in the deformation behaviour of chalk from the University of Surrey. Maria has had a diverse career, working both in research and industry and has lived in Australia, the USA, as well as the UK. Maria has always been interested in supporting career development and professional matters. She was actively involved in the Women in Science and Engineering Committee whilst still an undergraduate and volunteered for more than 8 years on the committee of the Engineering Group of the Geological Society. Maria took a career break to care for her children and returned to the engineering industry in 2018, as part of a STEM Returner Programme at her company. During her career break Maria trained and volunteered as a counsellor for more than 5 years, specialising in supporting new parents. Since returning to the workforce Maria has become actively involved in supporting colleagues with caring responsibilities, including helping to develop and implement flexible working policies for all staff within her workplace.