Meet the compliance team challenging gender stereotypes in housing maintenance

We're breaking the norm when it comes to the male-dominated compliance sector.

RICs stats show only 12.5% of construction team members and 33% of surveying professionals are female. At Staffs Housing, our new compliance team quash these stats with a 66% female workforce. 

The team is led by Kathryn Ing who is responsible for making sure all homes are safe and focused around the six key areas of health, safety, asbestos, gas, water, electrical and fire safety. Following a £763,000 investment, the team has expanded with two additional compliance surveyors joining the Group in January. 

Compliance surveyor Jenna (pictured above) joins the team from a local maintenance contractor. "Being female in a male-dominated industry can be challenging," said Jenna. 

"I've often found it harder to fit in and feel comfortable in a maintenance setting. 

"I've previously experienced discrimination with comments like 'those tools look heavy, let me carry them for you' or 'I didn't expect a woman to come out and inspect my fire alarm'. 

"It fills me with pride knowing I'm joining an amazing team that is challenging those stereotypes. 

"I'm looking forward to getting stuck into my new role and I can't wait to put my experience as an electrical engineer to use."

Along with implementing the new team, we'll also be introducing a new compliance strategy too. 

It will focus on making sure residents understand what to do in the event of a fire, that all doors comply with new legislation, and that residents know how to check if their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work too.