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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
Gender
is not a
barrier
» » AS MARKETING
EMERGING MARKET
FOR THE FUTURE
» » THE RECENT TIMBER
Trends report commissioned by
the Structural Timber Association
(STA), predicted another year
of double digit growth for the
industry. If Explore Offsite at
Ecobuild is anything to go by -
interest in offsite timber systems
is certainly on the increase.
Andrew Carpenter, Chief
Executive of the STA spent three
days at the event and reported:
“This was the first year of
Explore Offsite at Ecobuild,
which showcased offsite
innovations supported by a
comprehensive range of Offsite
Technology Masterclasses and
Ask the Expert sessions. Although
statistics have yet to be compiled,
the offsite structural timber zone
was one of the busiest areas of
the exhibition and on day two,
it was standing room only at the
Structural Timber Technology
Masterclasses. In addition, the
STA used this event to launch
some major initiatives and host
two business luncheons, with
presentations from high profile
speakers.”
The Structural Timber
Association formally joined
forces at the event with other
leading trade bodies, the Timber
Trade Federation and the British
Wood Working Federation - to
collaborate under the banner of
the Confederation of Timber
Industries. This ground-breaking
alliance shares an objective to raise
the profile and inherent benefits
of timber to Government and the
wider construction industry and
used Ecobuild as a platform to
showcase the natural advantages
of working with wood.
Andrew Carpenter concluded:
“This event has made it clear
that there is an emerging
market for the future - it’s offsite
construction. The good news is
that our members already have the
products, solutions and capacity
to meet the demand from major
builders, local authorities, SMEs
and the increasing interest in self
build. We have the resources,
the skills, the raw materials and
the environmental credentials to
take to market - Explore Offsite
at Ecobuild has given the STA
and our member an excellent
opportunity demonstrate how we
can be an integral part of this step
change.”
26 » M AY 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Manager for hardware
distributor Carl F Groupco,
Clare Crockett is responsible
for managing the marcomms
for all the company’s brands,
including Carl F Groupco,
SmartSecure and Carl F
direct. The scope of her role
includes planning and strategy.
Clare says, “I enjoy the variety
of my work, which includes
practical implementation of
campaigns and close interaction
with the rest of the team.
As distributors of over 7,000
hardware products there is
often a challenge presenting the
diversity of the range, but with
this comes the satisfaction of
successfully showcasing our lines
and service capabilities.”
After graduation from Oxford
Brookes University with a BA
in Marketing Management in
2008, Clare became Marketing
Assistant for, what was then,
Carl F Petersen. She was heavily
involved in the rebranding of
Groupco and Carl F Petersen,
following the merger in 2010
which resulted in the formation
of Carl F Groupco and that
paved the way to her promotion
to Marketing Manager.
At school, Clare loved
Business and Media Studies.
She says, “For me, Marketing is
a great combination of both of
these disciplines where I get the
best of both worlds. It’s great to
be working at the forefront of
Carl F Groupco’s strategy
including creating the new
brand SmartSecure and
developing collateral to help
achieve our business objectives.
The marketing role fulfils the
career path aspirations I had at
school.”
Of the industry, Clare
comments, “I wouldn’t say
that there are any particular
challenges to face as a woman in
this industry. Most organisations
have women at senior levels and,
as I look around me, 40% of the
Carl F Groupco workforce is
women, a number of whom are
in senior positions.
“I would definitely
recommend this industry
to anyone; there are plenty
of opportunities for good
career paths. As long as you
are passionate, committed
and qualified there is scope to
succeed.
“My advice to anyone looking
to persue a similar career
would be to know yourself
and know your craft. It is also
imperative to put customers
at the heart of the matter. Be
prepared to stand back from
your work and be critical - don’t
be afraid of inviting comment
from colleagues and customers.
Gender is not a barrier to
career progression,” she
concludes.