A sales director at Norwich-based Barratt and David Wilson Homes is celebrating a decade with the company while championing the housebuilding industry as a rewarding career for women this International Women’s Day (March 8).
Alison Page, who is based at the developer’s head office in Norwich and regularly spends time across the homebuilder’s developments in Norfolk, marks her 10-year anniversary with the company on March 9.
Reflecting on her career journey, she hopes to inspire more women to consider opportunities in the industry.
With 25 years of experience in the housebuilding sector, Alison has worked exclusively with large developers. She said: “I bought a brand-new home myself, saw what the sales team were doing, and thought, ‘You know what, I’d love to do that.’
“It wasn’t easy to get my foot in the door, as I didn’t have the industry experience at the time. But I persevered, and once I secured my first role as a Sales Adviser, I worked my way up from there.”
Recalling how the industry has evolved, Alison added: “When I first started, construction was a very male-dominated sector. Over the years, I’ve seen significant changes and there are now more women on site in roles such as painters, electricians, and site management.
“I consider myself an advocate for ‘first ladies,’ and it’s fantastic to see more women stepping into and excelling in roles traditionally seen as male-dominated. It’s also great to see more men joining sales teams, shifting perceptions within the industry.”
Reflecting on her proudest achievement, Alison said: “For me, it’s been the progression. I set my sights on what I wanted and went for it.”
As a Sales Director, Alison plays a key role in various aspects of the business, overseeing all areas of sales and marketing for the division, including sales progression, land acquirement and pricing, planning sales releases and overseeing new site starts.
International Women’s Day takes place on Saturday March 8, with this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, highlighting the need for faster progress toward gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate, full gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158 – roughly five generations from now.
When asked how the industry can help to #AccelerateAction, Alison said: “It’s crucial to engage young women and girls early, introducing them to the wide range of career paths available in housebuilding. Many simply don’t realise the opportunities that exist.
“Barratt and David Wilson Homes runs ‘Have a Go Days’ and regularly attends school career events, particularly here in Norfolk. It’s always rewarding to hear how our visits inspire students to explore careers in construction.
“The industry is incredibly diverse, with so many different roles. I’ve seen colleagues discover unexpected career paths and switch departments internally after finding their true passion. Spreading awareness of these possibilities is key to achieving better balance.”
Alison also praised Barratt and David Wilson Homes for its commitment to supporting women in the workplace: “The company does a fantastic job of mentoring and developing female talent. One example is the Catalyst Programme, which helps women in the business build confidence and thrive.
“We also recognise the need for more female representation at executive and board levels and are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion across all areas of our work.”
Offering advice to women considering a career in housebuilding, Alison said: “If you’re thinking about joining the industry, go for it! Take that first step. I had to be persistent, but I proved myself and never looked back.
“It’s such a rewarding career, and being part of one of the biggest decisions in people’s lives – buying a home – is incredibly fulfilling.”
For more information about careers at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, visit the website at Barratt Redrow Careers.
To find out more about the developer and the homes it is building, visit the websites at Barratt Homes in Norfolk and David Wilson Homes in Norfolk.