“If you are easily offended, then please f*^k off”, was the opening line by the host Nathan Lomax for Gen-E-Networking last week….
Raw. Open. Honest. No B*llshit Conversations by a fabulous panel – Morgan Lewis | Tait Pollack | Annie-Mai Hodge | Milan Pandit!
Hats off to Rebecca Campbell, Rose Steward 🦩 and Stokely Howard for what you have created 🤩👏🏼 (including your very own photgraphers/fan girls Kelly Cartwright 🦺 & Kerry Read 😂)
#genenetworking #personalbrand #norwichnetwork

Today is World Mental Health Day and it only seems right that we launch our new 2024 merchandise. For a second year we have continued our partnership with Band of Builders, so that we can spread the important message across thousands of construction sites.. 🖤

The Construction Industry Text Support Line is a free 24-hour text service offering support and guideance from a trained counsellor.

If you are feeling low or overwhelmed, text BOB to 85258. 📱

#worldmentalhealthday #bandofbuilders #itsoktonotbeok

“Your vibe attracts your tribe” ✨🧡

Some wise words from Wednesday evening at the National Federation of Builders (NFB) Top 100 Women in Construction Awards. 💭

#teamorange #top100wic #quoteoftheday

Entrepreneur Kelly Cartwright wowed guests at the National Federation of Builders’ Top 100 Influential Women in Construction (WIC) Awards last night, wearing a showstopping gown fashioned entirely from PPE to highlight the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in the sector.

The owner of Core Recruiter, a specialist construction recruitment company based in Norwich, was nominated for the Local Hero (Eastern Region) category. Her neon-orange dress was specially made for the event by dressmaker Hannah Wilde and was paired with her steel-toe-capped boots to complete the look.

“This dress is my armour,” states 31-year-old Kelly. “I asked Hannah to make it because I wanted to feel strong and confident at this year’s ceremony.

“I feel most comfortable out on a building site, wearing my PPE. I don’t feel that way in a ballgown at an awards ceremony. You can only be comfortable when you wear something that truly resonates with who you are, so I’ve often joked about going to an event in my PPE!

“Women always power dress for confidence. For instance, wearing a blazer might make you feel powerful, or popping on your favourite heels might put an extra swing in your step. Clothes are a powerful way to express yourself, while shielding vulnerabilities, insecurities or buried emotions. Why should it be any different in construction?”

As the winner of last year’s Ally award, Kelly is vocal about the importance of authenticity in the sector, living by her motto ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’.

By making her own career path highly visible, she hopes to encourage more equality, diversity and inclusion into the industry, bringing unique skills and perspectives with them. And armour can help to quell anxiety about bucking industry stereotypes.

As a woman who has worked in the construction sector for more than a decade, she emphasises that you should be comfortable with who you are and not change your identity to suit your industry. You may sometimes feel that your differences make you vulnerable, but if you’re driven and are good at what you do, your differences should be no limit to how far you can go.

It’s important to note that Kelly has also allowed her vulnerability to be as visible as her success, demonstrating that everyone experiences moments of insecurity. She recently opened up about her struggles with anxiety, showing that social media doesn’t paint an honest picture of success. Earlier this year, she published images of herself getting ready for an awards ceremony on LinkedIn, with an anxiety-induced rash visible on her chest.

She used the photograph to highlight that although she may seem confident on the outside, she often suffers from doubt, Imposter Syndrome and anxiety – particularly at awards ceremonies and public-speaking events. She wore armour at this year’s WIC Awards to simultaneously shield and draw attention to her feelings of vulnerability.

The dress is also a nod towards the Chartered Institute of Building and Construction Management magazine’s #PPEthatfits campaign, which highlights the lack of diversity in protective equipment, and how this is having an impact on safety on site, while also hampering the industry’s ability to attract and retain a more diverse workforce. Their research found that the majority of protective clothing isn’t suitable for a diverse workforce, potentially leaving them at risk on building sites. By using 6 extra-large hi-vis vests to make a dress, Kelly hopes to reinforce the need for change in this area, to ensure everyone feels both confident, inclusive and safe on building sites.

Nice 2-1 win at home this morning for Woodton Utd 😎
Our MOTM is Olly Sykes for another strong performance on his second debut for the club! 👊🏼
#upthewoodton #MOTM #sundaymornings

Coffee in one hand, confidence in the other.. ☕️✨
Pfffttt. We are not sure who you are kidding Kelly Cartwright! 🤣
The reality is setting in with UK Construction Week rapidly approaching next week! We all know Kelly doesn’t enjoy public speaking but she is pushing herself out of her comfort zone for not one but TWO panels!! 😬
Kicking off the day at 10:30 – EDI for All: Making Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Everyone’s Responsibility’ from 10:30 to 11:15. Alongside Jackie Anyango (She/Her), Laura Bradley, Naz Lewis-Humphrey and Jimmy Quinn.
And finishing the day at 15:30, diving into ‘Building a Diverse and Inclusive Culture: Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees in the Workplace. Alongside Kat Parsons, Kemal Ibrahim and Jemma Quin BEng CEng MICE.
Hats of KC for always keeping it real 😂
#keepitreal #publicspeaking #UKCW

Not sure you’d be any good at football KC, maybe stick to the day job… 😂

#footballteam #squad