#IWD2021 - Ann Harding, Road Services Director

#IWD2021

International Women’s Day
Ann Harding, Road Services Director

#CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE:  ANN SAYS:  ‘Stereotypes are becoming more and more outdated’

Please introduce yourself

Hi my name is Ann Harding. If you’re putting the kettle on I take my tea strong, no sugar please. I love going out for dinner and my favourite holiday destination is Lake Garda in Northern Italy.

How long have you worked at Quattro and what is your job?

I have worked at Quattro Group for nine years.  I head the road sweeper division and am also involved in the HS2 project and Jet Vac hire.

What is it like being a woman in a male dominated industry?

I believe you have to be thick skinned, determined and confident in your own ability and be able to deal with any difficult issues on the spot.  Speaking personally, I do think it’s a certain type of woman that succeeds working with a lot of men. It helps if you’re forthright and straightforward with good decision making abilities, which suits me because that’s exactly how I am.

Would you like to see more women in the industry?

Yes I would like to see more strong women in this role, helping drive the industry forward.  I know that women may be put off by stereotypes, but this is becoming more and more outdated.  Having said that, being in the minority does make a difference and people are more likely to pay attention to what you say, simply because you’re different. 

Is Quattro/AB2K different or similar to where you have worked before?  If so, how?  What’s it like as a place of work?

I like a challenge and I’m always looking for new opportunities and they’re there at Quattro for the taking.  I didn’t get into construction until I was thirty-four.  I had a father who thought women ‘should be seen and not heard’ and a mother who would call me out of a meeting to see if I had hung my washing before I went to work as it was a nice day… therefore I think my success comes from being defiant and forging my own path.   As far as Quattro goes, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man, a woman or an alien; as long as you do your job well you will succeed.

Name a woman you admire.

I admire Jackie O’Donovan (O’Donovan Waste Disposal).  I worked for her many years ago. She taught me a lot, introduced me to a typically ‘male’ working environment and she was a great mentor.

I also admire Sian Harding (Daughter) who shows huge resilience.  Despite being disabled and losing most of her school years to illness has gone on become a successful businesswoman in construction in her own right.

Tell us something that we might not know about you.

I am the newly appointed Chairman of HAE UK Charity (Hereditary Angioedema).  We work hard to create awareness of this condition. 

Find out more about it here:  https://www.haeuk.org/what-is-hae/

I was nominated and reached the final of The First Women Awards www.firstwomen.co.uk/awards and the Forward Women Awards both in 2017. 

http://forwardladies.com/national-awards/