The Locksmith Journal 118 March 2026 | Seite 46

SECTOR INSIGHT

MUL-T-LOCK CELEBRATES AS HAZEL OAKLEY NAMED FEMALE LOCKSMITH OF THE YEAR

» MUL-T-LOCK, PART OF the ASSA ABLOY Group, is proud to recognise Hazel Oakley of Gloucester Locksmiths, named Female Locksmith of the Year 2025 at the Locksmith Awards.
Independently run and voted for by both the industry and the public, the Locksmith Awards celebrate professionalism, skill and contribution across the UK locksmithing sector.
Hazel’ s win reflects the standard of her work, her professionalism and the care she brings to each job. It also highlights a broader shift, with more women gaining visibility and recognition for their contribution, and Gloucester Locksmiths achieving over a 50 % female staff ratio.
Says Hazel:“ Winning Female Locksmith of the Year genuinely means so much to me. I’ m proud of the work I do and of the trust customers place in me, and to be recognised by the industry in this way is incredibly special. I hope it encourages more women to see locksmithing as a real career choice where they can thrive and be taken seriously.”
Gloucester Locksmiths has built a strong reputation for reliability, expertise and customer care, with Hazel playing an integral role within the business. Her achievement reflects the values that sit at the heart of the company and the collective commitment of the team.
Gary John of Gloucester Locksmiths added:“ We couldn’ t be prouder of Hazel. She brings professionalism, determination and real pride to everything she does, which is recognised by all our customers. This award is thoroughly deserved and a moment of celebration for the whole team.”
Mul-T-Lock has worked in close partnership with Gloucester Locksmiths for over 20 years, recently championing Hazel through its dedicated Ladies who Locksmith Campaign.
Nigel Taylor, Director & Head of ASSA ABLOY Locksmiths UKI – Commercial Group concluded:“ Hazel’ s achievement is a powerful example of the talent within
our industry. We’ ve seen how important visibility and recognition are in raising awareness and encouraging more women to see a future in our trade. Celebrating Hazel’ s success recognises her individual excellence and helps shine a light on the breadth of skill and professionalism.”
www. mul-t-lock. com

Yale sponsor Women in Fenestration Network Event

» YALE DOOR AND WINDOW Solutions is proud to stand behind women in the fenestration industry this International Women’ s Day as it sponsors the Women in Fenestration Network’ s( WFN) first-ever Professional Development Day.
Taking place on 25th June 2026 in Bristol, the event has been organised by Sarah Ball, Founder of the WFN who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. She aims to create a space where women can be heard, supported and empowered, while enabling the industry as a whole to benefit from stronger collaboration and broader perspectives.
Alongside the formal sessions on the day, including headline speaker Sara Harling, author of Why Won’ t You Let Me Speak, there will be valuable networking opportunities and a clear focus on supporting women’ s progression.
Gemma Diratzonian, ASSA ABLOY’ s Head of Brand & Fenestration Lead, Residential, comments:“ I’ m extremely proud to be a woman working in the fenestration industry and movements like International Women’ s Day are critical to help challenge outdated
perceptions and inspire the next generation of female talent.
“ At Yale, we believe that women belong at every level across the industry and that’ s why we’ ve chosen to sponsor the inaugural WFN Professional Development. The women-only event looks set to be a standout date in the calendar this summer, bringing together industry professionals for a full day of insight, inspiration and connection. The event also coincides with PIGs Bristol event, which Yale are once again an annual sponsor of, so the networking will be able to continue into the evening.”
To book a ticket for the WFN Professional Development Day please visit: www. eventbrite. co. uk / e / new-for-2026-wfn-professionaldevelopment-day-tickets-1974965454840? aff = oddtdtcreator
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MARCH 2026
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