Trainee QS Leila Williams from Southgate was named best new starter of the year over 25, while WD Partnerships training manager Sharon Ayles won the Breakthrough in Culture category. Also short listed was Liz Laughton from WD Partnerships’ Scarborough branch for Best apprentice.

The awards showcase the very best in the contribution made by women to construction and Willmott Dixon was the only company to win two awards.

In the case of Leila, judges were impressed with how quickly she has grasped her role after joining the industry in her late 20s and the overall contribution she is making, while Sharon impressed with how she has risen through the ranks, from training administrator in 2004 to training manager responsible for all Partnerships apprentices.

This success follows the Construction Manager of the Year awards where Willmott Dixon made history by fielding the first ever women to win a gold medal.