RSAW and Women in Property South Wales Branch have teamed up to host an International Women's Day (IWD) panel discussion to celebrate women in architecture.
The global theme for IWD this year is #ChooseToChallenge. We will be hearing from three women in the construction industry to celebrate their careers and achievements. A Q&A will follow to discuss the issues underlying gender inequality and how the construction industry has changed to become a more inclusive place for all.
Chair
Amy Beacham, Associate Director, WSP, and the incoming chair of the South Wales branch of the Association of Women in Property.
Amy is a civil engineer and has worked on a number of large scale healthcare, education, and residential engineering projects in the UK. Her latest accomplishments include her role as the design lead civil engineer, from conception to completion, on the Grange Hospital in Torfaen.
Having taken an early interest in engineering, Amy always aspired to break into the construction industry by challenging the gender role stereotype, and gained a BSc in Civil Engineering before completing an MSc. She utilises the insights gained as a keen advocate for opening up the world of construction to other women and encourages a more balanced working environment that affords equal opportunities for all.
Keynote speaker
Ruth Reed BA DipArch MA PGCertEd PPRIBA, Director, Green Planning Studio Ltd.
Ruth Reed is a past president of the RIBA, former President of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, and Chair of the RIBA Planning Group.
Her career spans public-private practice where she ran her own practice in Mid Wales for 13 years. From 2002 to 2004, Ruth worked as a fee-paid planning inspector. She is also a former Professor of Architectural Practice at the Birmingham School of Architecture.
Ruth is currently the architect director of Green Planning Studio and has written two books; RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Guide Town Planning and Building in Arcadia.
Speakers
Bernadette Kinsella, Director, Powell Dobson Architects
Bernadette has over 24 years’ experience in architecture, 20 years of those with Powell Dobson. A Director since 2006, Bernadette leads the Residential Studio and has extensive experience across the housing sector. Her current focus is sustainable homes and places, not just in terms of environmental performance, but in terms of place making and the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods where people want to live long term.
Lisa Don, Interior Architecture Lead, HLM Architects
Lisa has worked in architecture and interiors for over a decade. With a background in healthcare, having delivered the interiors for the Children’s Hospital in Wales, Lisa started with HLM Architects in 2013. Lisa has led HLM’s Interior Architecture team across the UK for the last four years, delivering projects across seven sectors.
