At Pace Interiors, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunities employer, committed to enhancing opportunities for everyone. In line with our mission, we recently spoke with one of our colleagues who has made a significant career change. Alison shared her journey into her current role at Pace Interiors and her reasons for choosing to move from accounts to buying.

Can you describe your current role as a buyer and how your background in accounts has influenced your career path? What inspired you to transition into this role?

I’ve been with Pace Interiors for 12 years, starting out in accounts. That role gave me a great overview of the business, helping us save money while keeping our material standards high. I ended up in the buyer role by chance — I was covering for a colleague on leave, and our managing director suggested I give it a try. It felt like it would be a good challenge and a chance to pick up new skills, even though I was a bit nervous about the change. Now, I work closely with accounts, interact with more colleagues, and get to see the products being made and shipped out. Building relationships with suppliers has been a highlight too.

Over your 12+ years with the company, what have been the most interesting things you have learned at Pace Interiors, and what key lessons did you take away from it?

Moving from a banking background to construction was a big and interesting shift. My banking skills, especially working under tight deadlines when I first joined, helped me be productive and an asset in a small accounts team. In a smaller company, you work closely with business owners and really feel like you’re helping the company grow. The biggest lesson I learned is that being adaptable and using your skills in new ways can really make a difference.

Working in a male-dominated industry like construction presents unique challenges. Can you share what obstacles you’ve faced and how you have navigated them?

The construction industry, like banking, is pretty male-dominated and demanding. I’ve dealt with difficult situations with subcontractors now and then, but overall, construction isn’t as cutthroat as banking. Luckily, I haven’t faced major issues with things like maternity leave or gender bias, especially since my accounts team at Pace Interiors has been all women. Handling these challenges has meant being resilient and good at communication even in demanding situations.

From your perspective, what strategies can organisations implement to enhance their recruiting efforts and attract more women into the construction industry?

Companies can start by offering apprenticeships to women in workshops, which can lead to careers in various skilled roles like accounts, buying, site management, and project management. Providing training and NVQs helps women build transferable skills and a well-rounded education. I’ve benefited a lot from both in-house and external training, which has been essential for my career growth.

Given your extensive experience in both accounts and as a buyer, how do you see your career evolving in the future? Are there other areas within the construction industry or beyond that you are interested in exploring?

At this point, I’m happy with my current role and see it as my last job before retirement. It’s been great finding a new and fulfilling position at this stage in my life, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in this role.

Alison’s journey at Pace Interiors shows how important it is to be adaptable, keep learning, and use your skills in new ways. Her story highlights the value of supportive workplaces and initiatives to bring more women into the construction industry.