At Simpson TWS, we’re proud to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women in Construction week to recognise the talented women who contribute to our work across Civil and Structural Engineering. 🦸♀️
Engineering thrives on diverse perspectives, and we remain committed to supporting an inclusive environment where women in engineering can grow, lead, and inspire the next generation. From design and project management to operations and leadership, their expertise strengthens the projects we deliver and the teams we build.
To mark the occasion, we’ve invited some of the talented women in our team to share their experiences of working in the construction industry.
Federica Largaiolli – one of our Associate Engineers:
💡 What drove you to find a role within the construction/engineering sector?
I was exposed to the construction industry from a very young age, as my father works in construction. He often took me on site visits, and I grew up watching projects come to life from the ground up. Being in that environment sparked my curiosity early on, and over time, he passed on his passion for building and creating something tangible and lasting.
I remember telling him as a child that I wanted to become an engineer one day. That early exposure, combined with my natural interest in problem-solving and design, led me to pursue a role in the construction and engineering sector.
✨ What do you now enjoy most about the industry/working for Simpson TWS?
Seeing ideas transform into something real and tangible. There is something incredibly rewarding about starting with concept sketches and then watching a project come to life on site.
Each project presents its own unique challenges, and finding practical, efficient solutions keeps the work dynamic and engaging.
Construction brings together a wide range of professionals and specialists, all working toward a common goal. Being part of that collaborative effort and contributing to a shared vision is what I find most satisfying.
🎉 What is your proudest achievement to date?
Seeing the projects I’ve worked on successfully constructed and handed over to happy clients! There’s a real sense of fulfilment in walking through a completed building and knowing the role I played in bringing it to life.
I’m especially proud of my involvement in social housing projects all Passivhaus certified. Being part of developments that directly impact how people live, providing well-designed, efficient and affordable homes, is incredibly meaningful to me.
On a more personal note, one of my proudest moments is seeing my child put on my high-vis jacket, helmet and boots and say, “I’m going to site like mummy.” It’s a touching reminder of the influence my own father had on me. I hope to pass on the same passion for construction and sense of pride in building something meaningful that he once shared with me.
Lama Ahmed is a recent Graduate and joined the London team last Summer:
💡 What drove you to find a role within the construction/engineering sector?
I’ve always been drawn to Maths from a young age and that interest carried through into adulthood. At the same time, I have a creative and artsy side that pulled me towards architecture. Structural engineering became the perfect mix of both analytical thinking and design. The path seems like it was always meant to be!
✨ What do you enjoy most about the industry/working for Simpson TWS?
I really value the collaborative nature of the role, both within the structural team and across disciplines. It’s fascinating to see how different design requirements come together and the clever solutions that are developed to coordinate them. Each discipline within the construction industry seems to have its own language of design, yet everything ultimately works towards one cohesive outcome. On a personal level, I’m really enjoying learning from my peers, especially in an encouraging environment like Simpson’s.
🎉 What is your proudest achievement to date?
Graduating is definitely my proudest achievement so far. It was a very testing environment that pushed me further than I expected, both academically and personally. The experience challenged me to grow, and some of the work I produced during that time remains work I’m particularly proud of.
Emma Cook is currently completing an apprenticeship within our Gloucester team:
💡 What drove you to find a role within the construction/engineering sector?
I always had an big interest in Maths in school, and Construction is a good sector that this learning can be applied to.
✨ What do you enjoy most about the industry/working for Simpson TWS?
I enjoy being able to work on different projects weekly, learning engineering terms and theory. I also am able to put into practice what I learn at University and apply it to the projects I am working on.
🎉 What is your proudest achievement to date?
I am incredibly proud that I am consistently achieving excellent grades in my Civil Engineering course at University, alongside working in a busy office environment the remainder of the week.
Christina Roach, our Finance Manager within our Henley-On-Thames team.
🔍 Why did you apply to work at Simpson TWS?
I’ve worked in various industries throughout my career in Finance. I knew it could be more male dominated, however I was keen to join a growing company who was involved in many exciting projects throughout the country.
✨ What do you enjoy most about working here?
When I joined the company 4.5 years ago we were very small and we didn’t have many female engineers. There’s been a big change in the last few years, and it’s been very positive to see more females join at all levels. The company focus on staff development and role progression and it’s been a pleasure to see the younger apprentices grow into qualified engineers and Project Managers regardless of gender or background.
🎉 What is your proudest achievement to date?
Any achievement I reach, will always be a shared achievement with the Finance Team, we are a great team that always supports and respects each other. Working in a company that recognises the value of respect and make allowances for individual needs makes it’s easy to achieve any goal we set.
