Repairs supervisor paves the way for women in trades

When you picture the trades industry, what comes to mind?

For many, the typical tradesperson will still be an older, white male, working tough long hours.

But Felicity, a 34-year-old single mum from Welling and Maintenance Supervisor at L&Q, is breaking that mould– and she’s inviting other women to do the same.

Felicity joined L&Q as a Maintenance Planner with no prior experience. Stepping into such a male-dominated field initially felt daunting.

“The repairs and maintenance industry is a very male-oriented environment.

That was intimidating at the start, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be taken seriously,” she reflects.

However, from day one, Felicity was met with the full support of her colleagues.

Just two years after joining L&Q, she was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor and now manages a team of 30 male operatives.

“For my son to see me in charge is a great feeling. I want to be an inspiration to him,” she says with pride.

In her current role, Felicity juggles a range of responsibilities. From scheduling her team’s workload to ensuring resources are allocated effectively, she ensures operations run smoothly. Inspections of completed work are a vital part of her day, ensuring standards are met and residents’ needs are addressed.

People management is at the heart of her job, as she supports and guides her team. Whether troubleshooting with her operatives or providing updates to residents, Felicity’s ability to connect with others is central to her success.

Her journey hasn’t just been about mastering technical skills or team leadership—it’s also been deeply personal. Like many women entering male-dominated spaces, Felicity battled imposter syndrome, questioning whether she truly belonged in the trades.

“I didn’t have confidence in who I was, who I could be, what my potential was about,” she admits.

Her turning point came from two sources: her achievements and the support of her managers.

“My manager at the time called me after my interview for the supervisor role.

I told her I wasn’t sure about the outcome, but that regardless, I was proud of myself for how I’d done. She said, ‘If you don’t get it, I’m going to push you to go for more opportunities and make sure you keep adding to your skillset.’”

This encouragement, coupled with her growing expertise, proved transformative. “Guiding the operatives, I picked up so much and fed off the energy and information that was given to me,” Felicity explains.

Now, her confidence has blossomed. “There’s no limit to what I can do.” Felicity is determined to change perceptions of the trades industry, especially for women.

“When I was young, women were encouraged to go for childcare or hairdressing apprenticeships,” she says. She wants others to see trades as a viable option, offering skills that last a lifetime.

“If you can plumb, you can plumb forever. If you can plaster, you can plaster forever. These are skills that you’ll carry with you, and they’ll stand the test of time” 

For Felicity, the appeal of her career lies in its rewards and stability. The most rewarding part of my role is seeing residents satisfied once the job is complete. When we solve a problem and provide them with peace of mind, I know we’re doing something right.

The work-to-life balance is another major benefit.

As a single mum to a 13-year-old son, the structure of a 9-to-5 schedule lends itself to family life. “It’s wonderful working 9-5pm. There are no shifts, and I’m able to spend my evenings and weekends with my son." As a leader, Felicity takes pride in the relationships she’s built with her team, all of whom respect her abilities and work ethic.

Reflecting on her journey, Felicity has an empowering message for women considering a role in the trades:

“I’ve gone from working 40+ hours a week on £16k to finding a job that I enjoy, am good at, and pays well. At the pub, I was overlooked for a promotion because I couldn’t work overtime.

Here, I’ve been recognised for my hard work and championed at every opportunity.”

She urges women to lean into their potential, even when self-doubt creeps in.

“If I could go back and give advice to my younger self, I’d say: I can do anything I put my mind to. I’m powerful and I can achieve great things.”

Felicity’s story is part of L&Q’s Made in Trade campaign, which celebrates the trades as an attractive career choice for all. Her success is proof that women deserve to be in this space as much as any other tradesperson—and that diversity will only strengthen the industry.

“There’s no glass ceiling for women at L&Q,” she says. And for Felicity, the sky truly is the limit.