We are proud that Allan Brothers, a company committed to gender equality, now has women in several senior management positions heading up some of the company’s key operations
Charlotte Whelan, the company’s Commercial Director, is spearheading the company’s business growth strategy. Linzi Jo Watson, the company’s first female Production Manager, oversees our entire manufacturing operations and factory workforce, and Carol Bruce, Commercial Office Manager, is responsible for the internal sales office and after-sales service.
Each appointment has brought immeasurable value and experience to the company:
Charlotte Whelan – Commercial Director
Charlotte has a background in finance, retail, hospitality and construction management.
She first caught the ‘windows bug’ when she joined installer Jack Brunsdon, where she quickly rose to the top of the company as Finance Manager, Operations, Business Development Manager, and then as Managing Director.
She has brought immense industry knowledge and experience to Allan Brothers, where, as Commercial Director, she spearheads the company’s business strategy through sales growth, improved product design, and streamlined processes and data.
Passionate about equal and fair opportunities in the industry, she said:
“In the past, the construction industry was notoriously male-dominated and rife with negative gender stereotypes and prejudices. Thankfully, that is gradually changing as we see more women rising to leadership positions and also taking on traditionally male technical and operational roles.
“I’m proud to say that at Allan Brothers, we value each person for their hard work, skills, and potential. We’re committed to attracting new talent regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or background, so that it’s a great place to grow your career.”
Linzi Jo Watson – Production Manager
When Linzi began her career in fashion, she never dreamed she would be running an entire factory floor at a busy window manufacturer!
Joining Allan Brothers as a customer service assistant, she gained experience across many aspects of the business, as Planning and Logistics Manager and then Internal Sales and Planning Manager.
Realising that her heart lay in the nitty-gritty of the factory operations, she worked her way up to being the company’s first female Production Section and Planning Manager. Now she is its first-ever female Production Manager, responsible for the entire factory floor from the machine centre to assembly and finishing, including over 50 (mainly male) operatives.
Keen to encourage other women into manufacturing, she said:
“My younger self would never have believed that, as a woman, I’d take on a challenging factory role like this, but Allan Brothers has actively supported my ambitions every step of the way.
“I love my job and my team, and I would tell any woman considering a career in manufacturing not to be daunted just because there are no other women in that role or space. Manufacturing can be such a rewarding career, so be confident and be your own role model!”
Carol Bruce – Commercial Office Manager
Carol has worked at Allan Brothers for over 13 years and, as Commercial Office Manager, sits at the very heart of the business.
Over the years, she has taken on several senior positions within the company, covering Sales and Admin through to HR Manager, before heading up the Commercial Sales Office.
Committed to creating a positive, inclusive workplace, she said:
“Forward-thinking businesses understand the value of having a good balance of genders, ages and backgrounds. When I first joined Allan Brothers, it was a mainly male environment, but we’ve introduced many positive changes to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, such as flexible working hours and more practical lifting equipment for women working in our factory.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that there’s no glass ceiling here. So, if you’re hardworking and suitable for the job, we’ll support you through training so that you can achieve your career goals.”
Women in Construction Week
Managing Director Morten Bach Valsted said:
“Women are still in the minority in the construction industry, and so it is missing out on a tremendous pool of skills and talent, which is why I am keen to support Women in Construction Week.
“From our experience at Allan Brothers, employing more women in a variety of roles has brought fresh ideas and perspectives into the business, leading to more innovative and effective solutions, which ultimately make the business more competitive.”
UK Women in Construction Week (March 1st – 7th) is a time to celebrate the contributions of women, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and encourage more women to pursue careers in the sector.