Educate, Inspire and Empower
Educate, Inspire and Empower
On May 7, 2025, the launch of Constructing Change at the House of Lords marked a momentous occasion, bringing together influential figures from the construction industry and beyond to discuss the future of the sector. The event, held in the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, was an inspiring day of thought leadership, networking, and shared commitment to driving meaningful change in the industry.
The afternoon began with a heartfelt welcome from Elizabeth Griffin-Bennett, CEO and Founder of Constructing Change, who opened the event by sharing the powerful vision behind the movement.
“I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come. When I first introduced Constructing Change to the Environment Agency, it was just an idea — a vision on a page. But even then, there were people who believed in it. Their support gave it roots, and it quickly became clear that this was bigger than any one organisation. It had the potential to become a movement the wider industry could unite behind.”
Elizabeth spoke passionately about the power of visibility, the importance of legacy, and the urgent need to create space for those too often left out of the conversation.
“And today, with the launch of Elevate, we are doing exactly that — coming together across organisations, raising aspirations, lifting barriers, and creating real pathways for young people from all backgrounds to step confidently into this industry. Whether that’s on site, in design, in trade professions or engineering — we want them to see themselves everywhere in construction.”
Her words carried a message of unity and purpose:
“We are here because we know change doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens when we come together. Constructing Change is about creating visibility, opportunity, and legacy. It’s about ensuring that every young person, no matter their background, can see themselves in this industry.”
Elizabeth also took a moment to share her personal gratitude, offering a moving thank you to her children:
“To my children — thank you for being my sounding board, my motivation, and my biggest supporters’’
Her address set a powerful and emotional tone for the day — grounded in purpose, driven by community, and fuelled by love, legacy, and belief in what’s possible when we come together.
The event featured several thought-provoking sessions, starting with a powerful keynote from Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director of Infrastructure at the Department for Business and Trade. Fergus spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry, particularly around productivity, efficiency, and workforce retention.
He highlighted how the sector, while facing significant challenges, is also one of the few industries where professionals have the chance to leave a lasting legacy — not only in the built environment but in the lives of the communities they serve.
Fergus’s message resonated deeply with those in attendance, underscoring the importance of collective action in overcoming the challenges the industry faces.
Molly Gill: A Personal Journey of Courage and Determination
One of the most moving and memorable moments of the afternoon came from Molly Gill, a plant operator at Flannery Plant Hire, who shared her deeply personal journey into construction. With warmth, humour, and heartfelt honesty, Molly spoke about navigating several careers before discovering her true calling. She credited her dad — himself a former construction worker — for encouraging her to take a leap of faith and believe in her place in the industry.
Molly’s story captivated the room. Her resilience, authenticity, and clear joy at finally finding a role she loves left a lasting impression on everyone listening. Her closing words — “Be brave and embrace the fear anyway” — resonated as both a personal mantra and a wider message to the industry.
Her speech became a powerful rallying cry: a call to action to “Find your Molly.” A reminder that the next generation of talent is out there — curious, capable, and simply waiting for someone to open the door and believe in them.
The Panel Session: Personal Stories, Big Ideas
Next, a panel session chaired by Dr. Carol Massay brought together industry leaders to discuss some of the most pressing questions facing the sector. Panellists included Amy Bentley, Vice President at Jacobs; Mark Cameron OBE, Senior Vice President at Turner & Townsend; Adam Crossley, Director at Crossley Construction; Andrew Stephenson, Procurement Director at National Highways; and Gladys Mugugu, Policy Adviser at the Department for Education.
The panel delved into the most urgent and complex questions shaping the future of construction: How can we make the industry more visible to those who don’t yet see themselves in it? How do we foster a shared, collective voice that speaks for the sector with confidence and clarity? And crucially, how do we encourage those already working in construction — particularly younger professionals — to become ambassadors for the next generation?
What followed was a thoughtful, honest, and inspiring conversation. Each panellist offered a personal lens into how they found their way into the industry, highlighting the transformative power of representation and storytelling. Their experiences made clear that real change begins with visibility — showing people not just that construction is a career option, but that it’s a place where they can belong.
The panel acknowledged how much progress has been made — but also how many barriers remain. They challenged the sector to break down misconceptions, open up career pathways, and nurture the belief that a future in construction is not only possible, but full of purpose.
To close the afternoon, Vikki McCausland, Director for Policy and Development at Constructing Change, delivered a powerful summary — tying together the themes of legacy, visibility, and courage. Her closing remarks captured the spirit of the event: progress rooted in people, and change led by community.
Following the formal sessions, the remainder of the afternoon was filled with vibrant networking, reflection, and the joyful exchange of ideas. The energy in the room was unmistakably positive — a powerful mix of hope, ambition, and shared purpose.
Old connections were strengthened, new ones were sparked, and people across the sector — from apprentices to directors — shared what the day had meant to them. There was a clear sense that this wasn’t just a launch event, but the beginning of something bigger.
Attendees left inspired, energised, and ready to take action — to find their own “Molly,” to mentor the next generation, to raise their voice, and to carry forward the momentum sparked on this remarkable day.
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