Lifetime Achievement Award win for Redrow HR director

Karen Jones, who has worked at Redrow's Ewloe headquarters for 26 years, was named as winner at the ceremony, held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London last month.

The awards recognise the exceptional contributions of women to the construction industry in nine categories.

The Lifetime Achievement category is one of the most prestigious, being reserved for a recipient who has dedicated their life to making a positive contribution to the industry and helping others to do the same.

Karen with from Gaelle Blake, of Hays. Photo: The Design and Build UK Women in Construction Awards 2023

Karen celebrated 25 years with Redrow last year. She has held her current role since 1999. During her tenure Karen has been a pioneer of Redrow's commitment to valuing people.

She said: "It was a real privilege to have shared a room with so many inspirational women at the Women in Construction Awards. I'm astonished and honoured to have won the Lifetime Achievement award. Throughout my career I have always worked to better the opportunities for others entering the construction industry and I'm so privileged to have achieved so many of my ambitions with Redrow.

Read more: Rebrand for Flintshire cement works ahead of £400m investment plans

"We are a forward-thinking company, always with an eye on encouraging the next generation of talent and addressing the ongoing skills shortage, while ensuring those who join us can fulfil their potential. More recently my passion has been in developing how we approach mental health and wellbeing, while supporting as diverse a range of people as possible to work in housebuilding.

"I have enjoyed breaking down myths around what a career in construction looks like and encouraging colleagues to find a work life balance which, as a mum of twins, I know is so important."

Read more: Rugby player Joe opens his own coffee shop in Flintshire town

Among her many achievements, Karen leads on Redrow's Valuing People strategy, which is one of the businesses' three strategic pillars. She has made Redrow a leader in the field of training and recruitment and ensured the company kickstarted successful construction careers for many hundreds of school and university leavers.

Karen is directly involved as a mentor in Redrow's mentoring programme for women, making her approachable and accessible for female colleagues seeking one-to-one support. She has also driven the employee engagement strategy, including Redrow's industry-leading intranet platform.

Read more: New clothes shop boasting affordable basics opens in Flintshire town centre

Alongside her day job, Karen is a mum to 13-year-old twins and enjoys travelling. She was a CITB trustee for four years and chaired the HBF's Careers Committee for more than a decade. She is also on the board of the HBF's Expert Skills Panel.

Redrow also sponsored the 'On the Tools' category at the awards, which was won by Gemma Corcoran from Universal Gas Solutions.

Organised by Design and Build UK, this year's Women in Construction Awards followed on from the success of the inaugural event in 2022.

• For more on the awards visit www.womeninconstructionawards.com or to find out about careers with Redrow visit www.redrowcareers.co.uk.