Louise joined The Orange Partnership last autumn as a Senior Consultant. As a qualified accounting and finance manager she had spent the previous 24 years working in the property management sector. Her background in construction and her many years experience meant she was able to dive straight into supporting the wider team on testing and data analysis.
Here’s an insight into Louise’s perspective on a career in finance and construction and how it’s changed over the years:
Q: What drew you to a career in development and finance when you were starting out?
A: I needed a job! 😄
I wasn’t drawn to it as such, I fell into it. But what appealed was the challenge of something new & totally different to what I’d done before. I enjoyed my first venture into property management accounts & as I’ve always liked being able to understand what makes the world go round, finance just seemed the natural step to take.
Q: You joined TOP relatively recently. How do you find it as a woman working predominantly on major construction contracts? Is it very different to Development where you spent most of your earlier career?
A: I have worked in male dominated environments throughout my career, particularly in the property construction industry, where female employees tend to be few & far between.
Being a woman working on major construction contracts makes no difference to the colleagues, clients & contractors I work with as, at this level, people are more interested in the skills, expertise & experience you can bring to the job. Over the years things have become easier, and I think it’s less unusual to see a woman working in finance than it is in construction, so to mix the two is great.
Q: Which women have inspired you throughout your career?
A: This is a difficult one for me to answer, as honestly, it’s been men that I have come across whilst building my career, and wanting to be able to equal them or do better than them. My inspiration & drive has come from ‘if they can do it, why can’t I?’
Q: What advice would you give to young women starting out in finance today?
A: Work hard but don’t let it take over your life. Don’t give up when you’re finding things difficult. Being a woman makes no difference, you can still do it!
