Behind every successful project at HBS, there’s a team making sure things run like clockwork — and one of the people at the heart of it all is Colleen Taylor.
Colleen is our Team Administrator and an absolute powerhouse behind the scenes: keeping materials moving, supporting our PMs, smoothing out the chaos, and still managing to bring humour, resilience, and huge amounts of positivity to the business.
She’s been in construction for over 12 years, she’s a single mum of three, and she’s proof that women not only belong in this industry — they thrive in it.
Here’s Colleen’s journey, told in her own words.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself — where you’re from, interests outside work, etc?
My name is Colleen, I live locally — born and bred as they say. I’m a mum of three, plus Duke the dog, so life outside work is pretty busy, whether that’s being taxi for the kids or attending endless birthday parties. When I am child-free, I enjoy venting in the gym. I also love getting away when I can — seaside walks with the dogs or catching up with friends and family.
Q: What was your path into this role? Did you always see yourself in construction/M&E?
I never visualised a career in construction when I was younger, but here we are — and now I couldn’t picture myself in any other field. I feel like I was made for the challenging nature of the industry.
Q: Did you face any particular challenges entering a sector where there are fewer women?
Working in a male-dominated field can be challenging as a single mother — the work/life balance isn’t always easy and workloads can be unpredictable. I’m very lucky to work for an employer that understands the importance of family and offers a level of flexibility.
Q: What does your role as Team Administrator involve?
My main responsibilities include ordering materials, processing invoices and queries, keeping track of job costs, and supporting our Project Managers in their daily roles.
Q: Are there behind-the-scenes tasks people might not expect?
I assist wherever I can to keep things running smoothly. A big part of my role is forward planning to avoid issues before they arise. I think the PMs would probably give you the full list!
Q: How has being a woman in this space shaped your approach?
Working in a field with fewer women has its moments — sometimes it feels like you need to work a little harder to make your voice heard. But over the years this has helped me build confidence and a stronger presence. I’ve learned to communicate clearly and stay professional (most days!). I’m proud of the path I’m building and hope I can show other women there is a place for them in construction.
Q: Have you noticed change in the industry over time?
Absolutely. I’ve worked in construction for around 12 years and I’ve seen more companies recognise the skill sets women bring. Harassment and similar behaviours now carry real consequences — it’s taken far more seriously than it used to be.
Q: What strengths do you feel you bring that may be undervalued?
Varied life experience gives me a different perspective on problems. I adapt quickly to my environment, I work well under pressure, and construction provides plenty of those moments.
Q: What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Challenges seem never-ending in all areas of life! But entering a field where I wasn’t the typical face has taught me to work hard, stay resilient, and approach problems with an open mind. These experiences motivate me to show other women that they can succeed in construction too.
Q: A moment you’ve felt especially proud?
I felt proud when we handed over our first Lidl store with barely any snags. Being involved from tender to PC was really rewarding — seeing a project come to life and being able to stand in front of the finished result is a great feeling.
Q: What skills do you rely on most?
Organisation, communication, problem-solving, and resilience — and definitely a certain level of confidence in a male-dominated field.
Q: What advice would you give to women entering construction/M&E?
You need resilience in a male-dominated environment. Thick skin helps, and don’t get discouraged — sometimes it means working that bit harder to prove your capabilities, but it’s worth it.
Q: Have mentors helped you along the way?
JT and PG have both been great in supporting me. I feel I’ve progressed significantly under their guidance, and having directors who genuinely believe in their staff is inspiring.
Q: How do you approach mistakes?
Own the mistake, understand what happened and why, and use it as a learning opportunity. I share mistakes with the team so others can learn from them too.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at HBS?
The family feel — and the people. No two days are ever the same, and every challenge is a new learning opportunity.
Q: How do you hope to grow in the next few years?
I’d like to progress into a leadership role as Hawley grows. I want to build on my experience, learn more about site life, scheduling, and project management. The dream is to run jobs from start to finish confidently and efficiently.
Q: What would an ideal future look like for women in M&E/construction?
A future where women feel safe, supported, and valued — where they don’t have to prove they “fit in” because it’s already accepted. Ideally: women running M&E and men doing the heavy jobs… or is that too sexist? 🤣
Q: If you weren’t doing this role, what would you be doing?
I dread to think 🤣
Q: Your favourite moment at work so far?
I like that HBS really make the effort on birthdays — it’s a nice personal touch. And of course, the BBQs.
Q: Share a hidden fact about yourself.
I’m a mean chess player 😉
