Educate, Inspire and Empower
Educate, Inspire and Empower
On Wednesday 7 May 2025, leaders and changemakers from across construction, infrastructure, government, and academia came together at the House of Lords to celebrate a significant milestone: the official launch of Constructing Change at our inaugural Elevate event.
Held in the distinguished Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, the afternoon welcomed over 85 professionals united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, visible, and socially impactful construction industry. With panoramic views of the Thames, the setting fostered meaningful conversations, new connections, and a strong sense of collective purpose.
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.
In her opening remarks, Elizabeth spoke about the importance of collaboration across organisations to raise awareness, inspire ambition, and remove barriers, creating genuine pathways for young people to enter the industry. She emphasised the need to ensure that every young person, regardless of their background, can see a future for themselves in construction.
Elizabeth also offered a heartfelt thank you to her children, acknowledging them ‘’you have been my sounding board, my motivation and my biggest supporters’’
Today is more than a celebration, it is a commitment. A commitment to build and industry that reflects the rich diversity of our communities, a commitment to supporting the next generation and a commitment to constructing change that lasts.
Her words set a powerful and emotional tone for the day, grounded in purpose, driven by community, and fuelled by love and legacy.
The event opened with an address from Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director of construction logistics, airports and water at the Department for Business and Trade. Fergus spoke candidly about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector particularly around productivity, efficiency, and workforce retention. He reminded us that, while the sector is grappling with change, it is also one of the few industries where individuals have the chance to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Molly’s Moment: My Pathway into Construction
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.
Inspiring Futures: Breaking Barriers and Building Pathways into Construction
A lively and thought-provoking panel discussion followed, chaired by Dr Carol Massay. The panel featured Amy Bentley, Vice President at Jacobs, Mark Cameron OBE, CEO The 5% Club), Adam Crossley, Director of Environment at Skanska, Andrew Stephenson, Procurement Director at National Highways and Gladys Mugugu, Department for Education.
Together, they discussed some of the biggest questions facing the sector today: How do we make construction more visible to those outside it? How can we unite behind a collective voice? How do we shift perceptions, so more people feel this is a career for them? And how do we empower the young people already in the sector to inspire others?
The conversation was honest, personal, and full of practical insight. Each panellist shared their own story of entry into the industry, demonstrating that representation, mentorship, and visibility are key to shaping the workforce of the future.
The panel spoke candidly about how far the industry has come and how far it still has to go. They explored the persistent challenge of visibility: how construction remains hidden to many outside the sector, and how we must work harder to make career pathways clear, accessible, and exciting.
They reflected on the need for a unified voice and on the power of personal storytelling. By sharing how they each found their way into the industry, the panellists showed the value of lived experience in changing perceptions and inspiring belief.
To close the afternoon, Vikki McCausland, Director for Policy and Development at Constructing Change, delivered a powerful and heartfelt summary. Tying together the event’s themes of legacy, visibility, and courage, she emphasised that the real change in our industry will be people-led and rooted in community. Her message was clear: our progress so far is only the beginning.
Following the formal sessions, the afternoon transitioned into vibrant networking, reflection, and the joyful exchange of ideas. The energy in the room was unmistakably positive a powerful blend of hope, ambition, and shared purpose. Attendees left inspired and energised, ready to take action: to find their own “Molly,” to champion the next generation, to raise their voices, and to carry forward the momentum sparked on this remarkable day.
Categories: Company News