In this episode of Recon, host Bev Williams interviews Renee Preston, CEO of Gallaway Construction, who shares her journey in the construction industry, her commitment to creating impactful change for women, and her insights on leadership, mentoring, and personal challenges. Renee discusses the importance of supporting women in construction, the need for cultural change within the industry, and her experiences with personal health challenges that shaped her perspective on work-life balance.

She emphasises the significance of being a disruptor in the industry and the lessons learned from failures, while also highlighting her unexpected role in political leadership to advocate for change. Renee's passion for building impact and her hopes for the future of the construction industry are evident throughout the conversation.

With over 15 industry awards to her name in 2025 alone, including the Woman of the Year at the Property Week Awards, Renee's journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of inclusivity in the workplace.

"I want to walk on a building site and know that I feel that pride and know that I've done that," she shares. This commitment to fostering a supportive culture for women has led her to spearhead The National Site Standard and various initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in construction.

One of Renee's key contributions is the Construction for Women initiative. This nationwide program is designed to open up construction careers for women. Follow them on LinkedIn… https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-for-women/

Renee's journey is an inspiring example of how one individual can make a profound impact on their industry. Through her initiatives and commitment to inclusivity, she is not only changing the narrative for women in construction but also paving the way for a more equitable future.

As we look ahead, key takeaways from Renee's story include the need for supportive networks, the necessity of setting boundaries for personal well-being and the importance of mentorship. As Renee points out, mentoring can significantly improve retention rates; mentees are five times more likely to remain in their roles.

Takeaways:

· Supporting women in the industry is crucial for retention.

· Mentoring programs significantly improve retention rates.

· Setting boundaries is essential for work-life balance.

· Embracing disruption can lead to positive change.

· Trusting the wrong people can lead to challenges.

· Political awareness is important for industry advocacy.

· Building impact is about changing lives, not just numbers.

· Self-belief and support from peers are vital for success.

National Site Standard launched https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/national-site-standard-for-women-launched-15-01-2026/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:54 Renee's Journey and Impact in Construction

10:06 Leadership & Mentoring in the Industry

12:11 Personal Challenges & Boundaries

20:32 Embracing Disruption & Change

24:08 Lessons Learned from Failures

26:45 Unexpected Political Leadership

33:12 Building Impact & Future Aspirations

40:39 Advice to Younger Self