Womens Network

About the CICES Women's Network

Supporting visibility, progression, and participation across the profession

The CICES Women’s Network exists to support women working in, or considering careers in, construction, surveying, geospatial, and infrastructure roles.

It provides a professional space to increase visibility, share experience, and support career development, while contributing to the wider objectives of CICES.

The Network operates in line with the CICES Women’s Network Mission Statement, which sets out its purpose, values, and focus areas.

Read our terms of reference here.

We are open to everyone: women at all stages of their careers, and allies who support the aims of the Network.

Why the Women’s Network exists

Despite progress across the industry, women remain underrepresented in many areas of construction and surveying, particularly at senior levels. Barriers are often structural rather than individual and include lack of visibility, limited access to informal networks, and inconsistent support at key career stages.

The Women’s Network exists to:

  • Increase visibility of women across roles and career stages
  • Support career development and progression
  • Encourage participation and contribution across the profession
  • Share practical insight and good practice
  • Support entry routes and early engagement

The aim is to help retain talent and strengthen the profession for the long term.

 

What the Network does

The Women’s Network supports activity across a number of areas, including:

  • Mentoring activity to support career development
  • Events and conversations that share experience and learning
  • Outreach to schools and colleges to improve awareness of career routes
  • Stories and visibility to show real career pathways
  • Signposting to opportunities, resources, and support

Activity is developed in line with available capacity and reviewed as the Network grows.

Who the Network is for

The Women’s Network is open to:

  • Women at all career stages within construction and surveying
  • Those considering entering the profession
  • Individuals returning after career breaks
  • Allies who support the aims of the Network

Engagement can range from staying informed to actively contributing time and experience.

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How the Network operates within CICES

The Women’s Network operates within the governance framework of CICES and aligns with its professional standards, values, and strategic priorities.

The Network is aligned with the CICES Golden Thread for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring activity supports a consistent, institution-wide approach to EDI rather than operating in isolation.

The Chair of the Women’s Network sits on the CICES EDI Council, providing a direct link between the Network and wider EDI strategy, priorities, and decision making. This helps ensure:

  • Alignment with agreed EDI goals
  • Clear governance and accountability
  • Two way communication between the Network and the EDI Council
  • Integration of learning and insight into broader CICES activity

The Network does not replace formal CICES processes or professional pathways. It complements them by providing visibility, support, and engagement.

Partners and alignment

The Women’s Network works in alignment with the wider objectives of CICES and collaborates with individuals, employers, and organisations where activity supports shared aims around visibility, progression, and participation.

Partnerships may include:

  • Employers and industry bodies
  • Education providers and outreach organisations
  • Other professional and industry networks

All collaboration is guided by the CICES Women’s Network Mission Statement and aligned with CICES EDI priorities.

Looking ahead

The Women’s Network will continue to evolve in response to feedback, learning, and capacity. Development is paced to ensure quality, credibility, and meaningful impact rather than rapid expansion.

Progress and activity are shared openly through the website and engagement channels.

Get involved

There are many ways to engage with the Women’s Network, whether by learning, contributing, mentoring, or supporting others.

Get involved