In the run-up to International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March), we’re celebrating the brilliant women at North Star who go above and beyond to deliver excellent services for our customers. Half of our senior leadership team is made up of women, as are 79% of North Star staff. Many are also thriving in traditionally male-dominated fields such as surveying, asset management, and development. They are driven by a passion for making a difference, a commitment to developing their skills, and a love for the work they do.
We spoke to some of them to learn what motivates them and the advice they’d give to others:
Nicola Dixon, Asset Management Surveyor
What do you love about your job?
That has to be seeing the finished Asset components installed in our homes and the benefits they bring to our customers.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
I qualified as a Retrofit Coordinator in 2022, which enabled me to successfully deliver Energy Efficiency works to our homes. Thereafter, I became a board member of the North East Institute of Technology (NEIOT).
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
The industry is varied, and there are so many opportunities. Always be curious to explore and evolve with the changing market, be open to learning and shadow other professionals to continuously improve your own development.
Sarah Fawcett, Head of Development
What do you love about your job?
I love the problem solving: the working collaboratively with project teams whose members all bring their expertise, the muddy building sites and the satisfaction of providing new homes to be proud of. There is always more to learn. The world of development is never dull.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
I remember some schemes better than others and I love to see how they are looking 10- 20 years later.
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
It makes no difference whether you are male or female. Do what you enjoy. Never be afraid to admit that you don’t know something. People in our field are happy to help. Collaboration makes for successful projects.
Deborah Olver, Property Services Surveyor
What do you love about your job?
I love how varied the role of Property Surveyor is; no two days are the same. The sense of achievement when a customer is really happy with repairs or moving into one of our properties that has recently had void works brings great job satisfaction.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
I was very proud to gain the role of Property Surveyor after 3 years of studying hard to acquire the qualifications needed.
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
Have confidence in yourself! Although women represent a lower percentage of professionals in this field, it’s a brilliant career path that is challenging and immensely rewarding.
Fiona McCulloch, Property and Repairs Manager
What do you love about your job?
Every day is different. I get to make a difference in people’s lives by improving their homes and knowing that we are offering them a safe place to live. I love working with a great team and have really strong relationships with our contractors.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
I was part of a project management team delivering a £2.5m office refurb – the skills and experiences I learnt have really helped me develop my career within the repairs and maintenance industry.
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
Go for it – become an advocate for inclusive work environments!
Paula Aungiers, Asset and Sustainability Manager
What do you love about your job?
In my job, I love that I make a difference and improve people’s lives. Making the decisions on what we do with our assets to improve them, followed by overseeing the delivery of the work to make our homes more warm, secure, energy-efficient and modern, makes my job fulfilling. I love being able to provide a home that the customer can be proud of.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
My biggest achievement is seeing the people who I’ve managed and mentored over the years go on to achieve great careers, knowing that I played a part in their successes.
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
Don’t be afraid to stand out, voice your opinions and be confident about them. Utilise the specialists and experienced people around you to support your decision-making while gaining more knowledge along the way. Don’t take on everything yourself. There’s no ‘I’ in ‘Team’.
Alex McGirr, Trainee Property Services Surveyor
What do you love about your job?
As a trainee, every day is different and I am always learning new things from my team and going out on site. Having to deal with different scenarios day to day has helped my confidence and development.
What’s been your favourite career achievement to date?
I am very proud to have both gotten an HNC in building studies and secured my job as a trainee surveyor.
I also got a mention in Tees Skills magazine last year with an article celebrating my 10-year journey at North Star from apprentice to trainee surveyor. I loved sharing my story.
What advice would you give to women interested in your field of work?
When starting at North Star 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have thought this field was for me but I love it. There are so many opportunities so always stay open minded.
