Share this article:
As part of the #BuildingEquality Campaign, Emma O’ Gorman Wall, Chief Operations Officer/Director, Crown Roofing & Cladding Ltd, shares her story as a woman in construction.
I joined the family construction business after graduating from college having worked for a few years working in other industries. My Dad, Oliver O’Gorman set up Crown Roofing & Cladding in 1993 and the company has played a huge part in my life throughout the years. I watched the company grow and enjoyed assisting in my free time and when I was off school or college during the summers.
Crown always had a special place in my heart. I cared about it and was determined to see it succeed. In 2009, sadly, my Dad, our Managing Director at the time, passed away after a short illness. After Dad passed, my brother Owen and I took over the company and set about re-structuring it for growth. We professionalised all aspects of the business, we hired high calibre staff, we sought help and solid advice where needed and we moved away from smaller scale projects into large scale projects including fast track, mission critical infrastructures including data centres. Since 2009 we have seen a six-fold increase in turnover, we have been voted as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces, we work in Ireland and right across Europe, we have delivered many award-winning projects and I am proud to say, we have the most dedicated, high performing team of people around us including many strong women.
As a company, we are constantly striving to do better and although we have grown exponentially, we still, remain fully committed to our core values of integrity, loyalty, dependability, and teamwork. I really feel that more women should consider a career in the construction industry. Women bring a different perspective to the industry and can bring some objectivity and equilibrium into what is, traditionally a male dominated space. We really need to work hard to get the message out there that women are welcome and will be treated equally in this industry. I’m proud be part of International Women’s day and hope my story might encourage more women to come and work for Crown and for other progressive construction companies where they will flourish and be respected for their contribution.
To learn more about the #BuildingEquality campaign and to share your own story, please visit our dedicated page here