What is the FIS Women in fit-out Forum?
In its infancy, Women in fit-out has been formed to help bring greater recognition to a crucial part of the construction team, to encourage women to enter the sector and provide a platform for networking and sharing ideas and experiences.
The aims of Women in fit-out are to:
- Raise the profile of women in the industry and highlight their successes
- Inspire the next generation of women to join the fit-out sector
- Provide a forum for individuals to come together to meet others in similar roles, to network, share ideas and experiences and to develop business relationships
- Provide articles, business advice, online training and other tips and advice and information to support women in the fit-out sector
To register as a Women in fit-out special interest forum member please email: info@thefis.org
Group chair: Deborah Gore, HR director, Encon Group
‘I am proud to chair this forum as I feel passionate about moving our sector forward. Like the rest of construction, it’s very much male-dominated. We need more diversity, with more women coming through. The industry is not just about building, it involves lots of technical and specialist jobs that are suitable for both sexes.’
Founder: Helen Tapper, finance director, Tapper Interiors
‘Many women in fit-out have no voice. They work alone in a business office dealing with everything from CIS and HMRC issues, to procurement and logistics problems, to PA duties. It can be a very lonely place. We want to be able to provide a forum to get them talking so that they can share their experiences and support and learn from each other.’