Construction for Women to pick 800 early-career women for year-long leaders programme

Construction for Women has opened nominations for an Emerging Leaders Programme that will select 100 women in each of eight UK cities, 800 in total, for a year of mentoring and leadership development.

The organisation, known as CFW, said the programme is aimed at women within the first five years of their careers in construction, property, infrastructure and the wider built environment. Employers can nominate up to five women, and women can also apply directly.

CFW said nomination does not guarantee a place. Every application will be reviewed by the organisation, with selection based on leadership potential, achievements, ambition, industry contribution and commitment. A place in the Class of 2027, it said, "is earned, not given".

The programme

Participants will be grouped into multidisciplinary peer cohorts of ten and will work on live regional challenges set by public-sector and industry partners, according to the programme page. Each member will also be paired with a mentor and given access to senior industry leaders.

Applications are open to women across construction, planning, engineering, architecture, surveying, development, property, legal, finance, project management, sustainability and related disciplines.

CFW said the strongest performers in each regional class would be considered for further opportunities. The top 20% from each location will be invited to join its UKREiiF programme, and the strongest 5% will be considered for the CFW MIPIM Challengers programme, which offers international industry exposure.

The roadshow

The regional conferences will visit cities and regions across the UK during 2026-27, CFW said. A Cardiff event is planned to connect emerging female talent from across South Wales with employers and leaders, although the date and venue have yet to be confirmed.

The programme page lists a Liverpool conference at The City of Liverpool College on Thursday 15 October.

Background

Construction for Women was founded in 2024 and launched with a gala dinner at the Mercure Manchester Hotel on International Women's Day, 8 March 2024. Its founder, Renee Preston, is also chief executive of Gallaway Construction.

Preston, the organisation's founder, said: "Construction For Women was founded to break down barriers and create pathways for women to thrive in construction."

CFW says women make up 13.6% of the construction workforce and only 2% work on site. It also cites a need for 937,000 new recruits over the next decade, including 244,000 apprenticeships.

The organisation has run a UKREiiF programme before. It brought 156 young women to the forum in 2025 and said its 2026 programme is intended to bring more than 300 young women into three days of structured career development there.

Graduates of the Emerging Leaders Programme will join a CFW alumni network once their year is complete.