Raise the Roof Roundtable Generates Energy, Honesty and Ambition

On Monday 19 October, Raise the Roof UK brought together women and allies from across the roofing and built environment sector for an invitation-only roundtable at Gradient UK’s offices in Burntwood.

Attendees travelled from all over the UK to be there, with long-serving professionals alongside people newer to the industry, from contracting, manufacturing, specification, federations and distributors.

Guest speaker, Heidi J. Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop, shared insights from the US, where she is the driving force behind the American National Women in Roofing organisation. Her perspective showed how far a determined community can move an industry, and what the UK can learn from it.

Discussions

The day centred on four themes, with four sub groups each feeding back to the whole group during the afternoon followed by an open discussion where everyone contributed their own experience.

Talent, Recruitment and Retention

A question the whole industry is wrestling with: how do we attract the people we need, and how do we keep them?

This group agreed that recruitment can’t just be about women. It’s about making roofing appealing to everyone, women and men alike, by showing the variety of careers on offer, from site and technical roles to specification, sales, design, estimating and leadership.

Retention came up just as strongly. Getting people through the door is only half the battle; too many talented people leave because they don’t feel supported, valued or able to see a future for themselves.

The conversation explored practical steps employers can take: flexible working where possible, proper onboarding, clear progression routes, and workplaces where people feel safe to speak up. As one attendee put it, it’s about making sure the industry is somewhere people want to stay.

Perceptions, Visibility and Industry Culture

How roofing is seen, both from the outside and from within is still something that needs addressing, the group agreed. Many still picture a narrow, outdated image of who works in construction, and that puts people off before they’ve even considered it.

The group discussed the power of visibility: when young people, career changers and parents see people like them thriving in the industry, it becomes a real option.

Culture was a big part of this. Attendees spoke honestly about experiences that need to change, from everyday comments and assumptions to a lack of basic facilities and PPE that actually fits. Equally, there was a strong sense of pride in what’s good about our industry: the camaraderie, the skill and the satisfaction of building something lasting. The challenge is to keep the best of that culture while removing the barriers that hold people back.

Skills, Competence and Professional Development

This group looked at the diverse areas of skills in the industry, seen through the variety of job roles in the room. The group considered how to build capability and confidence. Mentoring stood out as one of the most valuable tools available, and something the industry could do far more of, both formally and informally. Several attendees shared how a single person believing in them had changed the course of their career.

We also discussed the importance of recognised training and competence, especially as standards rise across the sector, and how continuous learning should be open to everyone, not just those in senior roles. Access to development, time to train and support from employers were all seen as key to helping people grow and stay.

Leadership, Progression and Influence

The group looked at routes into leadership, and why so few women currently reach the top of roofing businesses and industry bodies, as well as what it means to be a good leader. The group explored the barriers: confidence, lack of role models, unclear pathways, and the challenge of balancing career progression with other responsibilities.

Attendees talked about the need for clear, visible pathways, sponsorship as well as mentoring, and leaders who actively bring others up with them. There was also a recognition that influence isn’t only about job titles: everyone in the room has the ability to shape their workplace and the wider industry.

International Perspective

Running through the whole day were Heidi’s insights from the US. She shared how the Nation Women in Roofing movement there grew from small conversations into a powerful national community, and how collaboration between contractors, manufacturers and industry bodies helped to drive real change. Her message was clear and encouraging: the UK has the passion and the people to do the same.

Heidi loves making new UK connections, and she commented that it was an incredibly inspiring room and the energy was fantastic. Coming from someone who has helped build one of the biggest women in roofing communities in the world, that meant a great deal to UK organiser Kate Whatley from Elevate Roofing Advisory Limited.

Energy

Kate said: “What made the day special was the format. Nobody was talked at. Everyone had a voice, and each point sparked others to share their own experiences, so the discussion built on itself all day. It was lively, open and at times deeply personal. People spoke candidly about what’s great in our industry and what still needs to change, and the room met every story with respect and encouragement rather than judgement.

“By the end there was a real buzz: a shared pride in being part of construction, and a sense that this group wants to do something together rather than just talk about it.”

Also attending, Clare Fenton added that the day was “energetic and engaging throughout.” Samantha Hanks MIBM of The Support Yard CIC reminded us that “real change happens when we work together.” Sophia Vass said she was looking forward to seeing the positive changes that come from these conversations.

Kate thanked Gradient UK as hosts of the event, saying they were “fantastic from start to finish, opening their doors, looking after everyone and creating a welcoming, comfortable space where people felt at ease to share openly. Their support for Raise the Roof and their commitment to a more inclusive industry made a real difference to the day.”

As founder of Raise the Roof UK, Kate summed up the day: “Monday was in incredible day. To have a room full of people from every corner of our industry speaking so openly, and listening just as hard, was exactly why Raise the Roof exists. It isn’t only about opening doors for women; it’s about making roofing an industry people are proud to join and want to stay in. Monday showed me the appetite for change is real, and now collectively we need to turn that energy into action.”

Next to Come

Following the roundtable, its outputs will shape the next stage of Raise the Roof: formalising the group, setting plans for the next 12 months, and feeding directly into our full conference in 2027.

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