With the advent of Women in Construction Week, PHPD talks to Barbara Massie, Director at Kirkwood Timber Frame about her career journey, the need for women in construction and timber frame advice.
Women in Construction Week is here (March 2nd-8th) and looks to shine a light on the stark statistics in the industry, with women making up only 14% of the construction workforce in the UK and even fewer in senior leadership positions. Yet research consistently shows that diverse teams drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and deliver better business outcomes. The construction industry, as it faces tough challenges in sustainability, housing delivery, and technological advancements, surely needs diverse perspectives more than ever.
Against this backdrop, we sat down with Barbara Massie, Director at Kirkwood Timber Frame, whose 20-year journey from trainee to director offers valuable insights into both the challenges and opportunities for women in construction. Barbara’s story isn’t just about individual success; it’s about the transformative impact diverse leadership can have on an industry traditionally dominated by men. Here, she shared her perspectives on leadership, sustainability, and the changing face of construction.
Q: Your career path is fascinating – how did you first enter the construction industry?
A: I actually started in window and door sales, and while it wasn’t my planned career path, it opened up an unexpected world of opportunity. The company was acquired by NorDan, a Norwegian firm, and that’s where my real journey began. I spent 18 years there, working across different departments and really learning about the market, timber, and the industry as a whole. What struck me most was that I never felt like “a female in a man’s world” – just a person who could bring value to the table, working alongside fellow colleagues as an equal.
After NorDan, I moved to Travis Perkins as Trading Director, which was… a completely different experience. It showed me how company culture can really make or break the working environment, particularly when it comes to fostering success. The real excitement came when I joined Kirkwood Timber Frame. The timing was perfect – they were ready to expand, and I saw this fantastic opportunity to help transform the English market.
Q: What’s your view on mentorship in the industry?
A: It’s absolutely crucial. I’ve been fortunate to work and collaborate with some great leaders along the way, but there were very few senior women. One figure that did stand out to me early on, was Gillian Irvine, who was the Financial Director at NorDan. She inspired me to learn more, be brave, and taught me invaluable lessons about growing a business, helping me to find my voice and shape my values. She showed me that both women and men are integral to a company’s success, each bringing different valuable perspectives to the table. I will always be grateful for having the opportunity to learn from Gillian.
Q: What excites you most about the industry today?
A: The constant evolution. In the last 20 years, we’ve seen significant changes – from the integration of technology to improved safety standards and faster completion times. There’s been a definite shift towards sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). What’s particularly exciting is the more collaborative approach we’re seeing now, with housing associations, architects, and developers working together for the best end results.
Q: Why should more women get involved in the industry?
A: In a nutshell because it NEEDS more women to provide different skills and talent and a new perspective. Problem solving is key to any business and I feel women often approach a problem form a different angle – which can unlock new and innovative solutions.
We also need to collaborate, lift one another up and align ourselves with great people, We can encourage one another to succeed – men and women alike – in an otherwise challenging, aggressive and competitive sector.
Q: How can we get more women involved in the construction industry?
A: We need to stop talking only about building sites and bricks and mortar. Like any other industry, there is a varied pool of talent needed to make the sector run – including roles in finance, admin, logistics, customer service, design, technical, sales, marketing, factory, project management and so on.
If we highlight all areas, we can allow more women to view the construction as they would any other industry. The opportunities aren’t all building site based!
Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a construction career?
A: Be hungry, be brave, be kind, and be ambitious. There’s no harm in being determined, but kindness is equally important. Learn everything you can about a company and its people. Apply for that next role, work your way through different departments, and cultivate your experience. Most importantly, don’t let anyone make you feel inferior or less capable.
Q: What does Kirkwood Timber Frame do?
A: Kirkwood Timber Frame has over 40 years of experience creating high quality timber frame products for the construction industry. It has supported and partnered with large scale housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers and self-builders on numerous projects across the whole of the UK.
Q: Why should housebuilders start building with timber frame?
A: As the Government steps up its commitment to increase the use of timber in the construction sector, there is real demand for structural timber as wider industry realises the benefits it brings.
Timber is a sustainable building material that can reduce the housebuilding industry’s carbon footprint while delivering warmer, more energy efficient homes at pace. Timber frame is best equipped to help housebuilders achieve both net zero and Government housebuilding targets.
Our precision engineered FastBuild® timber frame systems – which can be supplied fully insulated and with service cavities pre-fitted – can be erected on site in as little a day, reducing a developer’s build programme and site labour requirements, whilst achieving watertightness much sooner.
The UK has a key opportunity now, to change the face of housebuilding for the future, delivering 1.5 million homes and doing so in a way that will help us achieve net zero. The message to any housebuilders not yet utilising timber, is to not waste any more time.
Q: From an operational perspective, what is different when building with timber frame?
A: Automation has led the way to precision-engineered, high-quality products, delivered just in time to the site, ready to erect with little or no waste. The faster build improves overall project timescales and costs while reducing the need for additional skilled labour on site.
Timber frame use also allows for a more efficient use of site labour; multiple trades can work simultaneously once the roof is in place. This reduces the length of the build programme – which becomes easier to plan for – whilst also eliminating the dependency on weather.
The need to work at height is reduced significantly and less deliveries lowers traffic movements, and the impact on neighbours and the surrounding area.
Timber frame can also drive down the cost of prelims, moving projects more quickly to a cash in versus cash out position.
At a time when bricklayers are at a premium, a structural timber build enables two homes to be completed with the same brick-laying resource that one masonry house requires.
Barbara’s journey
Barbara’s journey demonstrates that construction offers rich opportunities for those willing to embrace challenges and think innovatively. For those considering a career in construction, Barbara’s story shows that with the right mindset and determination, you can not only succeed but help shape the future of how we build our communities.
As our conversation drew to a close, Barbara emphasised how Kirkwood Timber Frame’s membership of the Structural Timber Association (STA) reflects their commitment to excellence and innovation in the sector. As an STA member, Kirkwood adheres to the STA Assure quality scheme – a rigorous benchmark for timber frame construction that demonstrates technical, professional, and commercial competency.
“Quality isn’t just about the product – it’s about the whole approach,” Barbara explains. “Through STA Assure, we’re part of a wider movement to raise standards across the industry. This dedication to quality aligns perfectly with our vision for more sustainable, efficient construction methods.”
As the construction industry continues to evolve, leaders like Barbara demonstrate how combining technical expertise with inclusive leadership can drive positive change. Through commitment to quality standards like STA Assure, and by embracing diverse perspectives at all levels, companies like Kirkwood Timber Frame are helping to build not just better homes, but a better industry for future generations.
For more information about Kirkwood Timber Frame and their commitment to quality through STA Assure, visit www.kirkwoodtimberframe.com and www.structuraltimber.co.uk/sta-assure/
