Building firm appoint first female director in 45 years

Building firm McGoff Construction has announced the appointment of its first female director since founder Ethna McGoff.

Emma James is taking up the role of director of support services and business operations.

In her new role Emma will continue to manage the group’s business operations functions of developing structured and standardised processes from initial conception through to implementation.

The groups was launched 45 years ago and is based in Altrincham.

Emma said: “McGoff Construction is truly organic company that is not afraid to change with the times, we have great people, great ethics and a clear vision to expand the business.

“The growth potential for the Group is extremely exciting, working with leading clients in addition to our home grown development work.

“As the business continues to see steady growth, the more the culture has to reinvent itself.

“It is all the more important that the Group maintains continuous improvement of our process and people strategies to support this business progression”

The business operations team manages recruitment, human resources and supply chain collaboration as well as health and safety and environmental and quality compliance.
Emma said: “The services we deliver are completely unique. The support function has developed from servicing typical main contractor requirements to adopting the expanding requirements of the wider Group.

“We now deliver a holistic service across the entire group’s operation comprising; site acquisition, design and build principal contracting, luxury care home and day nursery operation and dedicated facilities services provision.”

She added: “It’s a huge accolade to become the first female director since co-director and founder Ethna McGoff.

“Part of my vision is to support others by raising awareness and highlighting our own strategies around diversity and wellbeing.

“The business case for diversity continues to be compelling and to have global relevance, whereby creating more opportunities for women starts with creating a more inclusive environment. Building effective wellbeing strategies requires a strong, sustained and authentic approach.

“Any specific efforts to tackle these areas are ineffective if companies don’t encourage and adopt the right work culture. I am incredibly proud to be a part of a company that encourages and promotes a strong female workforce and places wellbeing as a top priority”

Women are expected to make up a quarter (25%) of the UK’s construction workforce by 2020.

Women made up 36% of the firm’s workforce in 2018 with a 37% female management Board.

Dave McGoff said: “I’m delighted to welcome Emma to the board.

“Her commitment over the last 10 years has been phenomenal , it’s been an honour to witness her career progression thorough every level of the Business having assembled a highly skilled and dedicated group services team around her.”