Founder Tanisha Raffiuddin awarded Inspirational Business Woman in STEM & Construction 2025

On March 7, 2025, the House of Lords played host to the Inspirational Business Women in STEM & Construction (IBWISC) Initiative, a prestigious event celebrating the remarkable achievements of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. 

This initiative, spearheaded by Baroness Sandy Verma and Dr. Roni Savage, founder and managing director of Jomas Associates, aims to address the gender imbalance in STEM and construction careers by highlighting the importance of visibility, mentorship, and opportunity for women. 

The IBWISC event showcased inspirational businesswomen nominated by their peers, with the next generation of young ambassadors from universities and colleges present. It featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, aiming to inspire, connect, and empower future female STEM and construction leaders. With a special focus on mentorship and career progression, the event aligned with the UN's International Women’s Day 2025's theme of #ForAllWomenAndGirls advancing gender equality in professional spaces. 

The event was hosted by Dr Roni Savage and Baroness Sandy Verma. The panel discussion was chaired by Yanmo Adetula, and included an uplifting and honest discussion amongst the panelists - Michael Cook, Jacqueline O'Donovan OBE, Julie White Zoe (Yiting) Lu, and Professor Priti Parikh. They shared their personal journeys and actions that need to be taken to create a more equitable construction industry.

Our Founder Tanisha Raffiuddin, was recognised for her role in promoting the visibility of women in architecture through her advocacy work with Women in Architecture UK, and collaborations with other leading women groups such as NAWIC. She received the award from Peaches Golding, OBE, Lord Lieutenant, representing HM the King, and Tim Balcon (CEO of CITB) in a ceremony hosted by BBC's Lalita Taylor.

The event underscored the collective achievements of women breaking barriers in STEM and construction. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the progress being made and the work still needed to achieve true gender parity in these vital sectors.

As of 2024, approximately 6% of construction companies in the UK are led by women.  This figure represents a decrease from 2019, when 13% of construction firms were female-owned.  This decline highlights the ongoing challenges women face in achieving leadership positions within the construction industry.

In comparison, across all sectors in the UK, nearly 1 in 5 companies (18%) are led by women as of 2024.  This disparity underscores the particularly low representation of female leadership within the construction sector.

Efforts to address this imbalance include initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, providing mentorship programs, and creating more flexible working environments to support women's advancement in construction.

The IBWISC Initiative is supported by leading organizations committed to diversity and inclusion, including CITB, EY, Jomas Associates, Cultural Nexus, Stellar & Rose, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), ODPR, and BBCWiSTEM. These partnerships emphasize the importance of visibility, mentorship, and creating environments where women can thrive in STEM and construction industries. 

As we celebrate the accomplishments of these trailblazing women, we are reminded of the importance of fostering inclusive environments that encourage and support the next generation of female innovators and leaders in STEM and construction.

We need more women in construction. It is our collective responsibility to attract, nurture and retain the incredible women who make up this industry that has a powerful impact on each and every one of us.