Celebrating International Women's Day: Getting Technical With Maxine Dudley
07 Mar 2018

With women representing just 15 per cent of the UK’s property and construction workforce, Maxine Dudley highlights the benefits of a career in housebuilding…

Linden Homes’ head of technical, Maxine Dudley joined the industry 32 years ago, after starting work with an architecture firm – where she was the only female candidate who applied.

Maxine achieved an HNC in building studies at Derby College and had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of consultants including architects, interior designers and historic building and restoration companies, along with organisations such as Manchester University, where she worked as an architectural technician.

After moving to Devon and following a five-year career break to have children, Maxine re-joined the industry and spent time in two local councils’ property departments. She has since worked with several housebuilders in the south west, including Midas Homes, Persimmon and Bovis Homes.

Maxine now heads up the technical team at Linden Homes. The department is handed a new development from the land and planning team and then works on the technical elements to deliver a comprehensive pack of information to enable the production team to start building. This includes working drawings for the house types, infrastructure and external works, as well as liaising with the legal team and statutory bodies to ensure any technical agreements are put in place.

Commenting on her career in housebuilding, Maxine said: “Historically it’s always been a male-dominated industry and over the years I have attended many meetings where I am the only female in the room, but I have noticed a slight increase in the number of women in property. However, there’s still a lot that needs to be done to address the imbalance.

“A career in housebuilding offers a wide variety of job roles from land buyer to site manager, surveyor to sales executive and we regularly welcome schools to site to help inspire future generations.”

Maxine added: “Linden Homes has sponsored Women in Property’s National Student Awards for the last three years. I am the company’s champion for the south west region which involves being on the judging panel for the most recent awards, along with other female businesswomen. It’s a great way to see future talent coming through the industry and it’s helping to promote and highlight the benefits of a career in housebuilding and construction.

“I really enjoy my job and if we can help inspire other women into the sector then that’s fantastic. Many people think of it as a career for men and I’m pleased to be changing that misconception.”

Maxine lives in Barnstaple with her husband and two sons, who have followed her into the field – one works as an assistant site manager and the other is a trainee civil engineer.

Now, more than ever, there is a strong focus to encourage more women into housebuilding and #PressforProgress.

-ENDS-

Media can contact Emma Mackay on 077383 12960 for more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.

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