Oxfordshire environmental experts celebrate the role of women in construction and waste management
An Oxfordshire business which specialises in environmental services is championing the role of women, and wants more females to consider a career in the construction and waste management industries.
As a whole, The M&M Group diverts more than 130,000 tonnes of waste from landfill annually– equivalent to the weight of 11,000 double decker buses –through its skip hire, demolition and environmental services.
Half of the group’s senior management roles are occupied by women, who have helped the business treble its team and increase annual turnover by £10million in the last decade.
Its call for more women to consider a career in construction comes after data from the Office for National Statistics confirmed women make up just 15 per cent of the UK’s total construction workforce.
Cristina Yepez joined M&M Waste Solutions in 2015 as an Operations Administrator and has climbed the career ladder to now work as M&M Waste Solutions’ Compliance Manager.
The mother-of-two is responsible for ensuring its work adheres to the industry’s legal, regulatory and ethical standards. She said assumptions that all roles in waste management are filled by men are wide of the mark.
“There is a stereotype that everyone who works in the waste industry is male,” said Cristina.
“But since joining, I personally haven’t looked back.
“There are so many roles for women in construction, and by surrounding yourself with the right team there are always opportunities to take your career to the next level.
“So much has changed in the last decade, and it’s been a career highlight to witness the growth of our team. Above everything, we’ve established a great team culture and atmosphere where everyone feels part of our vision and working towards a shared goal which delivers positive changes in our communities.”
Earlier this summer, The M&M Group announced record recycling rates across its entire operation, with demolition contractor Maylarch Environmental diverting more than 98 per cent of waste from landfill, while M&M Waste Solutions recycled more than 97 per cent of materials.
Heidi Gibbens, Maylarch's Quality, Safety, Health, and Environment Manager, began her career in administration at a sports facility construction company after university, quickly moving into a compliance role.
She then brought this experience to Maylarch, joining the business in 2016.
She said: “The work is so varied – that’s what kept me connected to the industry for so long.
“There are a whole range of roles available too which people might not necessarily associate with construction.
“It’s far more common to see women working in the industry today compared to when my career started. It’s more common to see hands-on roles onsite filled by women, which is great and contributes to a positive team culture.”
Group HR Manager Jenny Bell joined the M&M Group in June 2024 after leaving her 15-year career in hospitality in favour of a new challenge.
She added: “It represented a complete career change for me – I’d never considered a career in construction.
“But, I was able to transfer key skills and wanted to work somewhere where I could make a difference. I haven’t looked back since joining, the whole team is great to work with.”