East Riding Manager Takes Major Construction Award

Senior project manager Katy Robinson has been named the UK’s Most Influential Woman In Construction. 

Katy, who has worked for East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s infrastructure and facilities department for five years, was honoured with the prestigious overall title at the national 100 Most Influential Women In Construction Awards 2025, held by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). 

She also won the Local Hero award for the North East region at ceremony. 

The 26-year-old, from Driffield, won the awards for spearheading a nationwide campaign calling for more inclusive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for women working in the construction industry, who can find workwear ill-fitting and unsafe. 

Katy said:

“I feel honoured and deeply grateful. To win these awards during the same week that our new British Standard BS 30417 – Provision of Inclusive PPE – has been released feels like a full-circle moment. 

“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, and I’m so inspired by the incredible people across the construction industry who are driving progress and change in their own ways.” 

Despite her relatively short career, Katy has already achieved five other national and regional awards, including Technical Apprentice of the Year, Hull & Humber Top 30 Under 30 and a Future Leaders award. 

She is also the campaign Leader for the National Association of Women in Construction for Yorkshire (NAWIC). 

Katy said:

“When I began the PPE campaign two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the journey it would take me on. 

“From highlighting the clear need for change, to building awareness through webinars and seminars, receiving national media coverage, working closely with the British Standards Institute, and even gaining recognition in Parliament – it has been an incredible effort to drive meaningful change. 

“The release of the new British Standard marks the achievement of one of the campaign’s main goals, but, this is not the end of the journey – rather the beginning of a wider culture shift. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the standard is adopted, not only in construction, but in all other industries too.” 

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been at the forefront of Katy’s PPE campaign by offering inclusive workwear for staff, and also wrote to the Government urging inclusive PPE become compulsory in the industry. 

During her time at the council, Katy has been involved in a number of high profile projects as assistant project manager and project manager, including the construction of the RaisE Business Centre at Goole, the building of St Anne’s School and Sixth Form College and Appleton Court Extra Care Facility, both at Hessle, the Mill outdoor gym at East Riding Leisure Beverley and a number of affordable and sheltered housing schemes across the East Riding. 

Councillor Gary McMaster, the council’s cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said:

“Congratulations to Katy for achieving such a prestigious, national honour for leading such a successful campaign. 

“Katy is a real shining star in the industry, and we are lucky to have her expertise at the council.” 

Deborah Madden, executive director, nations engagement at the CITB, said: “Katy’s excellent work around changing the structure of PPE for women and overcoming the challenges of co-ordinating and negotiating school engagement are examples of the impact that Katy has brought to her projects and the wider industry. 

“Katy has also shown support and commitment to other women in construction while developing her own skills and knowledge and raising awareness of the opportunities available for women across the built environment. 

“Katy’s nomination clearly demonstrated her resilience and leadership – and how she faces challenges head-on to achieve a positive impact on barriers to change.”