WOMENININDUSTRY
“ Most decision making at home during a build project or renovation is done by females , so why do we have so many men selling , designing , manufacturing , and marketing the products ?”
In this exclusive interview , Victoria Brocklesby , COO at Origin discusses her passion for learning , the surprise in people when she tells them about her career choice , and why failure IS an option …
What are your main roles / responsibilities ?
My role includes establishing ways to promote the understanding of culture and vision at Origin , driving the strategy across the whole business , looking for opportunities to improve and enhance both internal and external operational processes , all the while evaluating company performance . I also collaborate closely with management and stakeholders to carry out business expansion opportunities .
What is your history in terms of career / education and how did it lead to this current role ?
My passions have always been centred around learning ( about pretty much anything ), finding out about people , engineering ( in particular , space exploration ) and sport . My father and uncle owned a construction company where I would work during school and university holidays , and it was apparent that conversations around doors and windows holding up projects was a frequent occurrence .
Seeing a gap in the market for a door and window company that delivered on time in full to their customers , my cousin and CEO at Origin , Neil Ginger , took it upon himself to investigate a design for bi-fold doors that could be manufactured in the UK and supplied in the right way to the construction industry . Having recently returned from travelling , I was able to be part of this start up , working closely with Neil to build Origin , utilising our different skill sets to grow the business .
What do you think are the main challenges that face modern professional women in general ?
In my opinion , there is no one size fits all for women . My experience , needs , and drive will be very different to others out there . The challenge is always being content with yourself and knowing that you are enough . Opportunities for all women should be there . Diversity in the workplace is key to success and businesses that embrace this are at a competitive advantage . Women don ’ t need to behave like men and having a business that allows each individual ( male or female ) to show up as themselves each day without the need to pretend is incredibly powerful .
What do you think are the main challenges that face women in fenestration ?
I am often met with surprise when I explain my career path . At Origin , we have found that many of the roles we advertise attract a disproportionate number of men . In my opinion , fenestration is a fantastic industry to be involved in , whether you are male or female , but the connotation is sadly not that . We at Origin are proud to be a huge supporter of diversity and meritocracy , ensuring that the best person for the job is hired . We also encourage people from across the entire business to move around departments and often they discover an area of business that they never imagined being part of .
The industry , and companies like Origin , should be asking these questions around gender equitability . By keeping the subject at the forefront of their strategy and being intentional with recruitment , it will help women not be put off applying for a role .
20 » AUG 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM