Celebrating female-led businesses in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke to five women leading brilliant businesses in Royal Greenwich to learn more about their jobs and what this year’s theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’ means to them.
We also asked for their advice for others wanting to build their career in their fields or set up their own businesses.
The five women featured work in different sectors, from construction and set design to not-for-profits supporting people with learning disabilities and care leavers. All are drivers of positive change, who go above and beyond at work and in the local community and area that they love.
Benita Ager, Director, Flower Skills
One of our Greenwich Learns adult community learning providers offering courses in construction.
Benita Ager
I love that we help and support many different people to overcome the challenges facing them, rebuild their confidence and get their lives back on track. It’s always great when people come back and tell us what they have achieved. For example, the learner who came up and gave me a hug when he passed his CSCS test – the first test he had ever passed in his life.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that we help and support many different sorts of people to overcome the challenges facing them, rebuild their confidence and get their lives back on track. Helping people get into work, giving them skills – it’s always great when people come back and tell us what they have achieved. For example, one of our disengaged learners came to us because he was not attending school; he achieved his qualification, completed an apprenticeship, was runner up in a national construction competition and went on to a career in construction recruitment. As another example, we worked with a resident from one of our partner Housing Associations, supporting him to overcome barriers. He achieved a level 2 qualification and then worked directly on the housing estate. He came back to say that he was now working full time on site and thanked the staff for “giving him his life back”.
What do you love most about running your business in Royal Greenwich?
I have a business in Greenwich because the team set up by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to keep businesses in the borough helped me to find premises. My contact gave me so much support, finding premises, helping with change of use etc – I cannot thank him enough. I had a lot of help from my family - my eldest son is in IT and he gave up evenings and weekends to get me set up. My other sons worked with me to help grow the business. I also had help from the local MP at the time (Nick Raynsford) and various people within the council and supporting agencies helped with advice and support. I took advantage of a range of (free!) training courses offered by the Council and these really helped. All that good advice and support in those early days made a real difference to what we were able to achieve. We now have a strong partnership with the Council, with local schools and community groups and other providers. This is a very open and supportive borough who are keen to help us to help local people with skills, training and jobs.
A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?
My tip is that firstly, you need to understand the sector and think about how your skills and knowledge can work with it. Be clear what it is you want to do, get good, knowledgeable people around to advise you and don’t be frightened to ask awkward questions! Believe in yourself – you can achieve whatever you want. There will be times when things look bleak and dark and you feel alone, but keep going and believe in yourself and you will come out of this stronger and you will learn from the experience.
What challenges still need to be overcome in your industry?
When I set up Flower Skills 20 years ago, I was often belittled or ignored – construction staff speaking to my team rather than to me, assuming my staff were in charge. This still happens I’m afraid, if not as often, and there is still work to be done to bring women into the sector. It needs to start in schools, to show girls that they, too, can have a successful career in the industry. Construction should not be a sector only for underachieving boys – high achievers, and girls of all abilities can forge a good career. This is an industry where you can develop your skills, knowledge and qualifications and you have the opportunity to set up your own business.
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ mean to you and for your sector/business?
I have been in this company for 20 years and this is the first time I have been asked my opinion as a woman in a predominantly man’s world. Hopefully International Women’s Day will open doors and get women and girls thinking about construction (and other traditionally male-dominated sectors) as potential career paths.
Chloe Fitzgerald, Managing Director, Helix 3D
Specialists in design and fabrication for TV, film and commercials. Winner of the Business of the Year 2023 award and Made in Greenwich category.
Chloe Fitzgerald
“Construction is still a male led and populated industry and an archaic attitude to women does still exist. However, on the bright side, I have seen huge progress in the last 10 years, and the more women that come into the business the better as it will keep things moving in the right direction.”
What do you love most about your job?
There is so much I love about my job. Turning around big jobs on time and within budget can be stressful, but I thrive under pressure. Running a big team can have its challenges, but the bit I love most about my job is the people I work with. You spend more time with them than you do with your own family, so pick your team well and they become family.
Why do you love running your business from Greenwich?
Greenwich is a brilliant place to run a business. The links are great, and the Elizabeth line has been a game changer. We are fully committed to the area and we try and prioritise employing local workers wherever possible.
A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?
We need more women in this sector. My tips are to believe in yourself, and stand your ground. Everyone starts at entry level whether you are an art director, carpenter, painter, welder, doing the books or the managing director. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - every day is a school day and I am still learning things now.
What challenges still need to be overcome in your industry?
Construction is still a male led and populated industry and an archaic attitude to women does still exist. However, on the bright side, I have seen huge progress in the last 10 years, and the more women that come into the business the better as it will keep things moving in the right direction.
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’ mean to you and for your sector/business
Having a female MD of a construction company immediately illustrates that at Helix we champion inclusion. One of our co-founders is a woman of colour, so diversity runs through our veins, and she inspired inclusion by giving me the opportunity to work up through the ranks to becoming MD. Now I it’s my turn to pay it forward, and I urge everyone in the same position to do the same. We are all born into different circumstances and it’s not a level playing field, so if you can help even just one person, why wouldn’t you?
Christina Hsieh, Founding Director, Matter.
A structural engineering practice that won the Professional Service category at the Business Awards 2023.
Christina Hsieh
“There is space for everyone in the sector, you just need to look for it and seek support when you need it. We need more women in the sector so we can influence the design of buildings more to make them more user-friendly for women.”
What do you love most about your job?
Being able to contribute to the community and seeing what I have designed become the reality and people enjoy the buildings that I have built.
What do you love most about running your business in Royal Greenwich?
The support that I have been receiving by running my business in Royal Greenwich has been great, especially being able to find a studio that is so nice and also affordable.
A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?
Never let anyone cast doubts on your choices. There is space for everyone, you just need to look for it and seek support when you need it. We need more women in the sector so the buildings so we can influence the design more to make it more user-friendly for women.
Kemi Madumere, Co-Founder, Camouflage Cafe
A cafe in Thamesmead run by adults with learning disabilities. Winner of the Best New Business category at the Business Awards 2023.
Kemi Madumere
To me this year's theme 'Inspire Inclusion' means backing our words with meaningful action – which translates into hiring inclusively ourselves, upskilling our female managers, advocating for local women- and disability-owned businesses, and enabling platforms for marginalised women’s voices.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most is seeing our interns with disabilities thrive in the workplace. Their disabilities are sometimes invisible, so their struggles go unnoticed while their abilities get dismissed. Yet in the right environment, they flourish. So, to me, it’s magical when we successfully get a good employment match. The transformation I witness from a discouraged young adult to a confident employee is the ultimate success story. Thats the bit I love about my job.
What does this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’ mean to you and for your sector/business?
For me, personally, and for the organisation, inclusion means seeing beyond stereotypes and predetermined limitations placed on people because of gender, disability status, ethnicity or other marginalized. It means backing our words with meaningful action – which translates into hiring inclusively ourselves, upskilling our female managers, advocating for local women- and disability-owned businesses, and enabling platforms for marginalised women’s voices.
What do you love most about running your business in Royal Greenwich?
I feel really privileged to run a business in a Greenwich, I have received incredible support as a female entrepreneur and my support has come from the community, other business providers, the local authority, the young people I support and so much more. More importantly Greenwich not only supports but also celebrates us, appreciating the dedication and effort we as business owners put in, examples are the Royal Greenwich Business Awards, the Small Business Saturday campaigns and so much more. It’s very much a community business in Greenwich unlike some other boroughs where it can be quite lonely.
A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?
I would say lead with empathy first in this particular sector. The learning disability support sector requires an immense ability to empathise and see each person's abilities and humanity, regardless of cognitive or communication barriers. You will need bags of patience as progress takes time. You have to be willing to keep trying new approaches to teaching as no two people learn alike. Embrace technology as it can really expediate learning for young people especially in this technological age.
Trust is earned, so it is essential you build really good relationships by listening closely, focusing on their interests and strengths and more importantly give control where possible. In return you will be rewarded with incredible breakthroughs both big and small. My last tip is to focus their abilities and not what limits these incredible individuals because in doing so you will empower incredible change.
Nathalie Delahaye, Director, Roar Pursuits CIC
A not-for-profit offering life skills training designed by care leavers, for care leavers. Winner of the Health & Wellbeing category at the Business Awards 2023.
Nathalie Delahaye
My tip is to find people who are doing what you want to do, connect and learn from them. No one is an expert in everything, so outsource what you struggle with to someone who's an expert.. Find your team.
What do you love most about your job?
My job has been a work in progress, it's something I have learnt, and I teach. Finding your purpose means you will never feel like you have a working job. It's taken a learning curve to establish that in my life, as it does for most people. I'm grateful I was forced into working life so young. Having only typing as a skill, I fell into temping and typing, in the NHS and private health sector while completing my degree. Each letter I wrote, I knew, was going to a person, to a patient, which meant something to me. It taught me a lesson. From there I went to work for NHS Greenwich, I started Sail Royal Greenwich and worked for the Royal Borough of Greenwich due to my pride in our borough. I helped many into employment, but I came into contact with a group of young care experienced people. You may question what that means, I did... Surely it means someone cared for? Then I looked into its meaning and it’s the opposite, and suddenly I felt a kinship. I knew I was one of them. So what I love most about my job, is making those people find joy. To give hope and to allow people to grow their own wings to fly to success. I am thoroughly privileged to do my job and thank those who allow me to do so.
What do you love most about running your business in Royal Greenwich?
It's close to my heart and home.
A tip for women who want to start their career in your sector?
I honestly want to make a point, not only for women, for people. If you have a passion, follow it. My tip is to find people who are doing what you want to do, connect and learn from them. No one is an expert in everything, so outsource what you struggle with to someone who's an expert.. Find your team.
Looking to change careers and need some support? Visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/gllab
Discover adult learning courses at greenwichlearns.org.uk