Why Diversity Wins in Construction Recruitment

Lechley Associates Ltd

Why Diversity Wins in Construction Recruitment

Diversity isn't just nice to have in construction—it's a game changer. From my time as a Quantity Surveyor to recruiting, I’ve seen diverse teams bring fresh ideas and robust solutions, especially when the pressure’s on.

Why Bother with Diversity?

Picture this: a bustling London project where a culturally diverse team introduced innovative methods that outshone traditional approaches. It wasn’t just about different backgrounds—it was about better results.

The Real Challenge

It’s still rare to find contractors who chase diversity. Many stick to the usual paths, missing out on a world of talent that could revolutionize their projects.

Attracting the Best

Here’s how you can start:

  • Reach Out: Connect with schools and community groups that serve diverse populations. Show up, engage, and make your presence felt.
  • Inclusive Ads: Craft job ads that speak to everyone. Make your commitment to diversity clear across all your platforms.
  • Fair Play in Hiring: Train your team to recognize their biases. Standardize your interview process to keep it fair for all applicants.


Let's Chat

If you’re thinking about hiring and want to tap into the diverse talent pool, let’s talk. I’m all about finding hidden gems who are just waiting for a chance.

Wrap-Up

Diversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s your strategic advantage. Embrace it, and watch your projects and your people thrive.


by Scott Lechley 17 November 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
by Scott Lechley 23 October 2025
I'm incredibly proud to share our new strategic guide: For too long, the construction industry has faced a significant gap in diversity. We all know that good intentions and diversity statements aren't enough to create meaningful change. It's time to move beyond words and take real, measurable action to dismantle the systemic barriers that hold talented people back. This document serves as our idea for achieving just that. It outlines a practical, actionable strategy for building a more inclusive and thriving construction industry, one where capability is always met with opportunity, regardless of gender. We believe that fostering diversity isn't just the right thing to do; it's a decisive business advantage that drives innovation, improves safety, and boosts financial performance. Our strategy is built on four core pillars: Re-engineering the Pipeline (Recruitment): We Must Transform How We Attract Talent. This means implementing bias-free hiring processes, such as blind CV reviews, crafting inclusive job descriptions, and forging new partnerships with community organisations to find untapped talent. Overhauling the On-site Culture (Retention). This is the most challenging, yet critical, part. We must establish non-negotiable standards, including zero-tolerance policies for harassment, providing correctly fitting PPE for women, and creating psychologically safe environments where every voice is heard and valued. Creating Pathways for Growth (Advancement) Opportunity is about building a career, not just having a job. The commitment to creating transparent and unbiased promotion tracks, providing targeted leadership training, and implementing formal sponsorship programmes where senior leaders actively champion women's advancement. Accountability From the Top (Leadership) None of this works without genuine leadership buy-in. Change must be driven from the top by setting public, measurable DEI goals and making progress a key performance indicator (KPI) for senior managers, directly linking it to their performance reviews and compensation. I'm attaching the whole document below for you to read and share. Let's start a conversation about how we can work together to build a better, stronger, and more inclusive future for the UK construction industry. What are your thoughts on creating sustainable change? #WomenInConstruction #UKConstruction #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership #DEI #BreakingBarriers #FutureOfConstruction
Title slide:
by Scott Lechley 21 October 2025
The UK Construction Talent Crisis: A Quantitative Analysis of a Sector Under Strain
Two construction workers looking at a tablet. One in red, the other in yellow hard hat and vest on construction site.
by Scott Lechley 23 August 2025
Embracing Experience: The Value of Retaining Retired Workers in Construction