Stories of success and progression for International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, is a time to recognise the achievements of women and advocate for gender equality. At Russwood, 90% of our leadership team are women. In an industry that’s historically male-led, we’re proud to have women in key roles across the business, including our Production Manager, Jenny. This year, we continue our tradition of spotlighting the incredible women across our business – from production and sales to technical and leadership roles. We spoke with some of our talented colleagues to hear about their experiences, career journeys, and advice for those looking to work in construction and manufacturing.
Naomi Russell – Managing Director
What inspired your journey into leadership, and how did you reach your current role?
In a family business, there is a deep-rooted (pardon the pun) drive to push the company forward. After starting in a Flooring Sales/Market Research role, I knew I wanted to be involved in steering Russwood’s growth. Over the years, I’ve taken on various roles, and now, as joint Managing Director, I focus on process flow redesign, strategic vision, and supporting our teams as we close the financial year.
How do you approach leadership and what’s your leadership style?
I enjoy watching people grow, develop and continuously improve. There is always room to learn, and part of that is allowing the freedom to make decisions and learn from mistakes. Our team has changed and grown significantly over the last few years bringing lots of fresh talent and new ideas. If we want to improve as a team and as individuals we need to surround ourselves with people who know more than us, at least in some capacity.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to step into leadership roles?
Be authentic. If you don’t naturally exhibit typical masculine traits which are still associated with leadership positions today, don’t force it. Embrace the inherent feminine qualities such as collaboration, creativity, flexibility and compassion which make women naturally great leaders.
Abi Craven – Production Operative
How does it feel being the first female production operative in our team?
I was a bit worried at first, as you are with any new job. It helped that I knew quite a few people already, so it wasn’t long before I felt part of the team.
What would you say to other women considering a role in production or manufacturing?
I would say give it a go! When I first heard about the job, I initially said no, but my mum encouraged me to try it. I also spoke to Paul (Production Foreman) and Michael (Managing Director), and after that, I decided to go for it. I’m glad I did, as I really enjoy working here.
What skills or qualities do you think are important for success in your role?
Teamwork, organisation, a willingness to learn, and, of course, being friendly!
Have you faced any challenges related to gender in your career and how did you overcome them?
None. Quite the opposite. I’ve only had encouragement.
Taylor Butler – Architectural Liaison Technician
What’s one project or achievement at Russwood you’re proud of?
Building my wood science knowledge has been incredibly rewarding. I never expected to enjoy it, but now I help educate architects and designers on the wonderful world of timber.
How has your experience as a woman in a technical role shaped your perspective on the industry?
I’m lucky to work in a field that balances creativity, science, and community – especially one historically male-dominated. Seeing strong female role models excelling in this industry has been a huge confidence boost for me. I hope to inspire others and make a positive impact in the same way.
What excites you about the future of architecture and design?
As sustainability and material circularity become more embedded into architectural practices, innovations become stronger. I’m excited to see how we design with this in mind – particularly regarding timber of course.
Thea Jones – Flooring & Interior Cladding Sales Manager
How did you get to where you are now in your career?
I never expected to be in the position I’m in today. Working within the timber industry wasn’t a career I considered, but after accepting the Sales role at Russwood back in 2016, I stuck in and developed my knowledge and skills. That persistence has led me to a leadership role.
How has your role evolved over the years?
It feels like going from Sales Advisor to Manager happened quickly, but it’s been almost nine years at Russwood! I remember taking my first customer call and feeling very nervous. Back then, I wouldn’t have imagined leading a team. Learning from my manager, Naomi, and my peers has been instrumental in my progression.
What do you enjoy most about working in sales within the construction and interiors industry?
Being part of diverse projects, from large commercial builds to stunning homes, and supporting the specification process makes my work rewarding. Interior timber plays a key role in design, and it’s fulfilling to see projects come to life from start to finish. Providing expert advice to contractors and designers is another highlight.
Laura McKinnon – Continuous Improvement Lead
This is a new role to the company. What does it involve?
Accelerating Russwood’s journey to adopting a continuous improvement (CI) approach across the company. A key part of this is implementing LEAN principles to make work easier and more efficient, particularly for our production team.
What changes have you helped implement so far that you’re most proud of?
Helping teams understand what CI is, demystifying the jargon, and embedding it into daily operations. Seeing how it impacts individuals, teams, and the bigger picture is really rewarding.
Have you faced any challenges related to gender in your career and how did you overcome them?
I’ve worked in male dominated spaces both here in the UK and overseas, which has brought a wide variety of experiences. In more challenging situations, you need to be confident in yourself – you didn’t end up in the role by chance. Having strong female role models and mentors is invaluable throughout your career too.
What advice would you give to women looking to enter your field?
Learn as much as you can from as wide a variety of people and experiences as you can. Focus on building skillsets that can be applied to different roles and industries. It’s a cliché, but the only constant is change, and you must be adaptable and equipped to navigate that.
Alice Wootton – Production Support
Can you tell us more about your role? What do you enjoy most about working as Production Support?
I support production operations, from scheduling deliveries and monitoring stock to overseeing Health & Safety and environmental initiatives. I also work on sustainability projects, including our carbon footprint and route to net zero. I really enjoy the variety, no two days are the same! It’s fast-paced and reactive, which keeps things exciting. I often joke that I’ll give anything a whirl and am a jack of all trades, and my role really lets me do just that!
Have you faced any challenges related to gender in your career and how did you overcome them?
Not at Russwood, but in my early 20s, I experienced scepticism as a woman in shooting sports, traditionally classed as a ‘man’s game’. While rarely malicious, comments like, “Are you sure you can handle that?” were common, and people assumed I borrowed my equipment from a male relative rather than having my own license. I overcame this by standing my ground, working hard, and proving I belonged. Also, I wanted to make it easier for other women to enter the hobby and be taken seriously, so I made a conscious effort to encourage, support, and normalise women as active participants. To put this into perspective only 6% of firearms & shotgun license holders are female.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s a celebration of strength and resilience, and a reminder to be grateful for the opportunities and freedoms my generation has, things that weren’t always a given. It’s also encouragement to never be complacent and to push for what I want, even if it seems unachievable at first. We’ve come a long way so far, but there’s always more we can do.
Happy International Women’s Day!
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspiring women at Russwood and beyond. Thanks to Naomi, Abi, Taylor, Thea, Laura, and Alice for contributing to this blog. Their stories remind us of the importance of perseverance, passion, and authenticity in building successful careers. You can find out more about International Women’s Day here.
We’re committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment.
Available positions and details of how to apply can be found on our careers page.