Aluminium
SEEING THINGS CLEARLY , WITH SAMANTHA HAGUE .
Things have come a long way since glazing and manufacturing businesses first started trading in the UK , and there are now more opportunities for women in business across all sectors . For generations women have been pushing their way to the front and breaking down barriers . However , there is still “ more to be done ”, says Samantha Hague , Director of UK Curtain Walling Limited when it comes to equality . With women in manufacturing making up just 15 %, the gender gap is still closing slower than in other sectors .
Within this piece , we will look to find out more about how it feels to be a female director in a male dominated sector , and what lessons Samantha has learned over her 30-year career .
Samantha , can you tell us a little bit about yourself ?
I had a great upbringing and a very ‘ normal ’ Yorkshire education , I was a happy child and teenager . In high school , I took secretarial classes and home economics – like most girls did at that time and the boys went down a different route where they might be encouraged to find a trade or join the army . We weren ’ t particularly told about ‘ life in the real world ’ like young people are now , or what career options could arise in the future .
I always wanted to challenge the status quo and I had some strong female role models . I aspired to become a vet through my teenage years and just wanted to care for animals . After a short time working in a Mill in Huddersfield , I went on to do some training to become a nurse .
However , I then fell pregnant , and things changed for me .
You mentioned some strong female role models there , who were they ?
I ’ ve been very lucky to be surrounded by strong women – although I maybe didn ’ t see it as that growing up . My nana owned a drapers shop in Marsden for many years , which was actually where my mum was born – and then years later I was .
Some women are born with what we would call ‘ Yorkshire grit ’ and it ’ s a term we use for women who just refuse to slow down , refuse to be beaten and just want to provide for their families . Looking at my role models , I think that I was always destined to be a business owner .
How did becoming a mum change your career path ?
Well , it did unfortunately mean that becoming a nurse or a vet was no longer an option for me as I had a young family and needed to leave my studies behind . I went into a career in sales and started working for BT .
I worked my way up and became what we called a ‘ problem solver ’. This meant that I would be handling calls from people reporting a bomb outside a public building or something like that . It was never really what I wanted to do , but at this stage it did what I needed it to do and provided me with a way of being a mum and having a career .
What kind of skills did you need to develop to handle that role ?
Well , you needed to be able to remain calm under pressure , have good people skills and ultimately be able to keep someone on the line until someone arrives on scene . It really taught me a lot about communication , empathy , listening and how to diffuse situations before they potentially go wrong .
Did you find that this was a transferable skill for later in your career ?
Oh absolutely , especially when you ’ re in business with your husband or dealing with people across the industry . You need to have someone on the end of the phone who can handle and manage the situation – rather than let it get out of hand . I know some people are often scared to pick up the phone and would rather send an email . I ’ m definitely the other way around .
46 JUNE 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM