LMC Meets - The #ChooseToChallenge series, Catriona Lingwood

In this episode, Liz spoke to Catriona Lingwood, who heads up Constructing Excellence North East. A real driving force for the Constructing Excellence movement, Cat has been in the industry for over 18 years. ‘I fell into the construction industry completely by accident’ she told Liz, while she explained the journey that eventually led her to what is still her dream job.

Watch the full interview below.

Cat spoke to us about a very inspiring project that started 2 years ago, which aimed to tackle the disconnection that permeates the sector to create a more unified and cohesive industry in the North East region. Constructing Excellence worked in tight collaboration with different organisations and professional bodies across the region, which resulted in the creation of One Voice, the North East England Construction Strategy 2020-2025.

As a keen innovator and change-maker, we asked Cat what she felt is needed to achieve positive and lasting change in the industry. “The last year has seen a lot of change in the way we work, like the zoom we’re doing now” said Cat, as she explained how the pandemic has put the spotlight on communication and acted as an accelerator for new ways of working and connecting.

The need to adopt flexible working so quickly came with an opportunity for the industry to put aside its fears on drops in productivity and appreciate the strengths and efficiency of an agile working team which, for Cat, is definitely something that should be retained. “I’d like to see better communication within the industry” – which doesn’t necessarily translate into everyone being in the same room.

In keeping with this year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge, Cat set herself the task of challenging culture and behaviour in the construction sector, to achieve more equality and most importantly inclusion. “Everyone has different needs and we need to make sure we are doing something for everyone.”