Emma Peach, Doyenne Ambassador, Essex
What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a woman in this field, and how did you overcome it?
I have been fortunate to have worked for businesses that have a very strong female influence, either directly with women that held senior positions or men that had been raised by strong women and the effects rippled down. The challenges came from the construction section of the industry where there was not an expectation to have women in what was considered to be a male space. This played out in meetings when I was repeatedly asked to be the note taker, on site when there were no female toilets and in the arena of PPE when the onsite offerings of hard hats and steel toe cap boots were all too big!
Thankfully, there has been a real change in this attitude over the past few years with construction codes of practices in place and an increase of women taking jobs in the construction industry, this signals that there is an invitation for women to share these spaces. However, I will keep my own steel toe cap boots and hard hat in my car boot, just in case!
Can you share your happiest memory from your time in the industry?
There have been so many happy memories from my time in industry! But most of them are connected to seeing people succeed and achieve their career dreams. I have been fortunate to have line managed several staff over the years and been in the position to provide training. Playing a small part in someone’s progression is a privilege.
How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life?
If you had asked me this question 10 years ago, I would have said that there was no balance at all. It is something that I have had to work hard to achieve through time management and the understanding that there are periods of the year that are busier than others that I need to just lean into.
There are two tips that I have that help me to maintain a balance...
When looking at workload, merge your professional and business diaries, then look at the month prior to the current one and the one after, that way you can see what impact your life is going to experience over a 3-month period and you can adjust and plan accordingly.
Don't stress about your email count when you have been on annual leave or on a Sunday night. You already know from past experience that you will be able to handle it, so don't stress. Leave your "out of office" on for one more day and plough through the easy wins.
What motivates you to get up and go to work every day?
I am a morning person, so it is not unusual for me to be up and about by 5am. What I have learnt is that 5am is not the time to start work! A coffee in the garden, a face mask, gym visit, or a dog walk first thing means that I have claimed my day and chosen the mood that I will adopt that day, feeling in control automatically makes me happy to work and it feel like I am doing so on my time.
Again, this isn't something that I would have been able to have done years back when my son was small. Then the motivation to go to work was paying bills, setting an example to my son and not having to watch Toy Story 100 times a day on repeat.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life or career?
The biggest influence in my life has been my younger sister Becky. She is one of the kindest and most loyal people I know, and she still continues to teach me so much. She is an amazing mum and partner and a kick ass credit controller.
The biggest influence in my career is Helen Roberts, professionally she inspires me with her resilience and ability to remain soft-hearted whilst working in a position that requires her to be strong. We have become firm friends and despite us not living close to one another, we take every opportunity available to spend time together.
What's a personal goal you are currently working towards?
2024 is the year of fitness for me. I have been an avid attendee of yoga a few times a week for the past 2 years and this year, I signed up to a women's weightlifting club. I am currently deadlifting 50kg which is more than I could have imagined before this year.
Would you rather have the ability to speak all languages fluently or be a master of every musical instrument?
This is a tricky one as I love music, but I think that it would have to be able to speak all languages fluently. Imagine how amazing that would feel.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I just can't commit to this question. Too limiting 😉
If you could have any fictional character as your best friend, who would you choose and why?
I would choose Pheobie Buffay from Friends. She celebrates herself for who she is and doesn't expect others to change who they are for her. She has a strong moral compass and a playful attitude. She would make a great best friend.
How do you unwind after a long day at work?
Dog walk, yoga, glass of wine - sometimes all three.
What's a fun fact about you that most people don't know?
Snoop Dogg is my favourite rapper
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I ticked this off my list last year. I had always wanted to travel to Italy and last year I took myself on my first solo holiday abroad. I love everything about Italy, scenery, sound of the language, the delicious food wine, and the people are so relaxed and welcoming. Now I will need to find a new place to travel to.
What's your favourite inspirational quote or mantra?
When starting yoga and feeling like I was rubbish at it. I adopted the mantra "Consistency is the only requirement" It now serves me well in areas that are not related to yoga.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in life
To listen.
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