Speakers

Hi, I’m Karen Hughes, Director Organisation Development at Turner & Towsend, I’m very much looking forward to be taking part in a panel discussion at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference. As part of the panel we will be exploring how our sector can create and sustain inclusive workplaces, and how both strategic and practical changes are required to support and embrace diverse talent within our workforce. I’m looking forward to the discussion on 16 September in London.

I’m Sophia Flucker, Technical Director at MiCiM and I’m delighted to be speaking at the Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering Conference. I’ll be facilitating a Change Maker Xchange session where we explore real-world challenges, share what has worked (and what hasn’t), and openly discuss the changes needed to shape a construction and engineering sector that works for everyone. I’m looking forward to our discussions on 16 September in London.

I’m very pleased to be joining a panel at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference to discuss what can be done to ensure that the built environment sector is accessible and welcoming to all. Whilst we must consider inclusive recruitment practices, will also need to discuss workplace culture to ensure disabled and neurodivergent colleagues want to stay in the sector. An interesting set of challenges. I hope to hear your thoughts on 16 September.

Hello! I am Meg Ginsberg, Assistant Project Manager at AtkinsRéalis, and I’m really pleased to be speaking at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference. As part of this panel, we’ll be discussing how the sector can create inclusive cultures where disabled and neurodiverse people can thrive. We’ll explore practical changes to recruitment, workplace design, and support structures, and how embracing diverse talent can help strengthen our workforce. I’m looking forward to sharing my perspective in the discussion on 16 September in London.

Hi, I’m Jenny McLaughlin, Senior Project Manager at Heathrow. I’m excited to be speaking at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference. As part of this panel, I’ll be asking an important question: who are we really designing for? I’ll introduce how inclusive design and equitable safety can transform our industry — not just to accommodate difference, but to actively anticipate it, creating tangible benefits for all. I’m really looking forward to continuing this conversation on 16 September in London.

Hi, I’m Kay Denham, Engineering Director for the Environment Business Unit at Galliford Try. I feel privileged to join this panel and contribute to a conversation about how we can shape our workplace culture to actively support and empower neurodiverse talent and show how diverse ways of thinking strengthen collaboration and performance across our teams. I look forward to the discussion on 16th September 2026.

Hi, I’m Maggie Whiteford, Delivery manager (Capital Delivery) at United Utilities, and I’m really pleased to be speaking at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference. As part of this panel, we’ll be discussing how we can create and support longevity for women within the sector. We’ll explore what initially attracted us, what has kept us here and what makes women leave as sadly many do. We’ll discuss our experiences good and bad, explore what longevity looks like to each of us and how we can empower and support women. I’m looking forward to the discussion on 16 September in London.

Hi, I’m Melissa Zanocco the Challenge Director for the the UKRI Research and Innovation Missions Accelerator Programme. I’m really pleased to be speaking at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference. To get better decisions so that our infrastructure works for everyone who will use it, we need to have input from people with diverse views and experiences. We therefore need an industry that attracts all different types of people. I’m looking forward to the discussion on the role leaders need to take to ensure this happens on 16 September in London.