Piper Homes advocates women in construction as it announces new Land Director

West Midlands-based Piper Homes has appointed Chantelle Williams as Land Director.

Chantelle graduated from the University of Liverpool with a Masters in Town and Regional Planning, and discovered a passion for land buying during her time with Barratt Homes and Berkeley Group.

Since joining Piper Homes in 2021, she has delivered just under 4,000 units for the homebuilder in the West and East Midlands, including the regeneration of complex brownfield sites.

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Chantelle said: “I am delighted with my promotion, which really demonstrates Piper Homes pledge to furthering the careers of women in this traditionally male dominated industry. This is further encouraged by now having three females on the board.

“It is apparent that women are in the minority when it comes to the housebuilding industry, and I feel it is my duty to open pathways for other women and in particular women of colour into the industry.

“I have been involved as a committee member and member of many organisations such as Women in Property, Women in Construction, and Women in Planning, which I believe has been a true attribute to my success.”

Her first-hand experience is backed up by recent statistics, which show that women make up just 10 per cent of the construction workforce.

This can largely be put down to stereotypes and misconceptions about women’s ability to perform the physical demanding work required by the industry, as well as an unwillingness for employers to provide flexibility to working mothers.

Chantelle added: “I believe that whatever background you are from, there is a place for you in the house building industry, and I am a true advocate that you should be hiring individuals based on their ability to do the job and how they would fit into the culture of the company.

“I can see how more and more companies are drawing on the skills of people from a wider range of backgrounds to make the most of advances in technology and ways of working within the industry, which is encouraging.”

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