Lovell: Championing Women Across the Sector

Supporting people to develop their skills and confidence not only benefits individuals, it strengthens the industry as a whole. One example of this is the journey of Erin Davies, Engineering Manager at Lovell, whose career reflects both personal development and long-term investment in people.

Erin’s route into engineering was far from conventional. She began her career in 2005 as a Trainee Technician, working four days each week in a consultancy while studying one day per week for her NC (National Certificate) in the Built Environment. This combination of work and study provided a strong foundation and early exposure to the construction industry.

Over time, Erin continued to build her qualifications while gaining experience in the workplace. She completed an HNC (Higher National Certificate) in CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Designing) followed by an HNC and HND (Higher National Diploma) in Civil Engineering and later an SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) in Construction Management.

Her interest in construction began earlier during her time at school. Erin enjoyed creative subjects alongside mathematics, which naturally aligned with the built environment.

During fourth year, she completed work experience with an interior design company. The following year, Caledonian University partnered with her school to promote Women in Construction and arranged a placement with local engineering consultancy.

“Those placements opened my eyes to the opportunities within construction,” Erin explains. “I enjoyed the balance between creativity and problem?solving and it quickly became clear that it was an industry I wanted to work in.”

Erin initially applied for an Architectural Technologist apprenticeship. During the interview process, she was introduced to engineering, something she had not previously considered.

“I hadn’t thought about engineering before that interview,” she says. “Once it was explained to me, it immediately clicked. It suited my interests and ultimately shaped the direction of my career.”

Like many careers, Erin’s journey has not been a straight line. Over the years she experienced several life changes, including periods of part?time work and a career break while raising her three children.

Balancing family life with career progression can be challenging in any sector, but Erin views those experiences have strengthened her resilience and determination.

Returning to the industry after several years away could have been daunting, but Erin credits the support and flexibility of colleagues and the wider business for helping her rebuild confidence and continue progressing.

“Lovell has supported me every step of the way,” she explains. “The flexibility and encouragement I received allowed me to continue progressing in my career while raising my family. That support is one of the reasons I’m passionate about giving back and showing others that a career in housebuilding is achievable.”

At Lovell, learning and development are encouraged throughout, with support for further study and flexible working helping people progress while balancing other commitments.

Through determination and continued learning, Erin progressed through several technical roles before becoming Engineering Manager at Lovell in 2025, a role that reflects both her technical expertise and leadership.

Jon Parry, Head of Technical at Lovell, believes Erin’s journey demonstrates the value of investing in people.  “From the outset it was clear that Erin had the drive to succeed,” he says. “Our role as a business has been to provide the flexibility that allowed her to balance family life with continued development. It has been great to see Erin grow in confidence and step into a leadership role.”

Alongside managing the engineering aspects of projects, Erin has also become passionate about encouraging more young people to consider careers in engineering.

One of the biggest challenges she has encountered in her role has been recruiting engineers, reflecting a wider issue across the industry.

“Speaking with other engineering organisations, it’s clear this is something many companies are facing,” Erin explains. “Engineering hasn’t been promoted enough as a career path, which is why engaging with young people early is important.”

Motivated by this challenge, Erin has become involved in outreach work with local schools. Through her engagement with Queensferry High School, she has delivered interactive STEM sessions to around 300 pupils.

One of the most popular activities is the “Jelly Geotechnical Challenge,” which introduces students to how engineers assess ground conditions before construction begins.

These hands-on sessions help pupils understand the work that takes place before homes are built. They help challenge perceptions of the industry, encouraging students, particularly girls, to consider careers in construction.

Erin has worked with S3 pupils exploring ground stability and early construction stages, while also speaking with S5 and S6 pupils about her career path and opportunities within the built environment.

For the school community, these visits have made a strong impression.

Kenny Manson, Depute Headteacher at Queensferry High School, said: “Erin’s enthusiasm inspired our pupils, especially our senior girls, by showing them that careers in construction and engineering can be creative and rewarding. Her visit broadened our students’ understanding of the sector while helping challenge stereotypes and spark new ambitions. Opportunities like this help young people see the real?world pathways connected to their learning.”

Looking ahead, Erin remains focused on continuing her own development. “My next learning goal is to keep developing within my role,” she explains. “Each site brings different challenges, which means there is always something new to learn.”

Stories like Erin’s show how investing in people and sharing experience can support growth across the industry. As this year’s themes suggest, “Give to Gain” and “Investing in Ourselves” are closely connected. When people invest in their own development, they gain the experience to support others. When that knowledge is shared, it benefits the wider sector.

At Lovell, we are committed to supporting organisations such as WISH that help women across the housing sector progress. This approach reflects how we work: investing in people, creating opportunity, and strengthening the communities and industries we are part of.