Katy Robinson, a former student of Wyke Sixth Form College, has been honoured as the UK’s Most Influential Woman in Construction at the prestigious 2025 Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards. The national event, hosted by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), celebrates the achievements of women who are shaping the future of the construction sector.
Katy, 26, who currently serves as Works Project Manager at East Riding Council, also received the Local Hero Award for the North East region. Her recognition stems from her leadership of a nationwide campaign advocating for inclusive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for women in construction—an issue that has long affected safety and comfort on job sites due to poorly fitting gear.
Her campaign played a pivotal role in the development and release of the new British Standard BS 30417 – Provision of Inclusive PPE. Speaking at the awards ceremony, she said, “To win these awards during the same week that our new British Standard has been released feels like a full-circle moment. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, and I’m inspired by the incredible people across the construction industry who are driving progress and change in their own ways.”
Katy’s journey began in 2017 when she studied A Levels in Geography, Sociology, Business, and Psychology at Wyke before progressing to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Construction Management. Despite being early in her career, she has already earned five other national and regional accolades, including Technical Apprentice of the Year, Hull & Humber Top 30 Under 30, and a Future Leaders Award. She also serves as the Campaign Leader for the Yorkshire chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
Reflecting on her campaign’s impact, Katy added, “When I began the PPE campaign two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the journey it would take me on. From highlighting the clear need for change, to building awareness through webinars and seminars, receiving national media coverage, working closely with the British Standards Institute, and even gaining recognition in Parliament—it has been an incredible effort to drive meaningful change.”
She emphasized that the release of BS 30417 marks a significant milestone, but not the end of the journey. “This is the beginning of a wider culture shift. I’m looking forward to seeing how the standard is adopted, not only in construction, but across other industries as well.”
Launched in 2022, the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards aim to spotlight the contributions of women across the sector and promote visibility of role models to inspire future generations. Katy Robinson’s achievements exemplify the transformative impact of advocacy, leadership, and dedication in driving industry-wide change.
