A ‘Women in Public Life’ Inspirational Woman

A “Women in Public Life” Inspirational Woman

Philippa is one of the inspirational women featured by Women in Public Life, a campaign led by Rosemary Butler AM that aims to increase women’s representation in all aspects of public life in Wales.

In addition to establishing Female Builders and Interiors in 2007, teaches construction with The Construction Youth Trust and worked in the TV industry featuring in many home make over shows. She has also represented Wales at Rugby Union, 7’s rugby and touch as well as an Entrepreneur Role Model for Welsh Government and an Athlete Role Model for Sky Sports Academy.

“Being an entrepreneur role model is incredibly rewarding, having the opportunity to share my story with students, and offering them advice that I wish I could have had at their age. As an athlete mentor I get to work with some really exciting up and coming athletes. I get to share my experiences with them to hopefully guide and inspire them to achieve their goals.”

Philippa never encountered prejudice as a builder in Cardiff as she was relatively well-known in the industry through her father. She did however receive some element of sexism when took part in Channel 4’s The Renovation Game. The on screen builders made comments about being her being too weak or that she should be in the kitchen, and excused the behaviour as ‘Banter’. To overcome this Philippa kept her head down, worked really hard and completed her work before everyone else and would then help the other builders complete their work. By season 2 she was promoted to head builder and was in charge of the whole renovation. “All of a sudden the ‘banter’ stopped . . . strange that!”

Philippa’s final thought for women in Wales is; “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, we all have different journeys to take, some people seem to achieve/learn/adapt quicker than others, don’t focus on that. Take your time, stay focused on your goal and enjoy the journey!”