Chicks with Bricks: a celebration of women in the built environment

Alice Moxley

Chicks with Bricks

On the 6th October, Chicks with Bricks will bring a collection of women together from the construction industry to network, debate and celebrate at the ICA Gallery.

Tickets are priced at £32.50 (+VAT) and include the following:

• chicks with bricks membership

• an exclusive networking opportunity bringing together 120 young women and senior female leaders: the brightest and best of the construction industry.

• entry into the exclusive Nash rooms at the ICA.

• canapés and drinks.

• guest speakers.

So what is the event about?

The event is aimed at women of all ages and professions within the construction industry. There are a number of bodies representing women in construction; our aim is to bring them and their members together. It is because of our aim to create a more inclusive and cohesive network that we have support from National Association of Women in Construction, RIBA, RICS, the Construction Industry Council, and Women in Architecture to just name a few. Representatives from all of these bodies will be present at the event.

With only 120 places, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to meet like-minded individuals. The intimate setting will allow you to network easily and comfortably.

Furthermore, only 11% of the industry is made up of women, so this event aims to raise awareness of the few women who are in construction. Join us in our shared belief that there should be greater equality in this sector.

Attendees and Guest Speakers

Since 2005, Chicks has held numerous events bringing members together to network and communicate - architects, developers, lawyers, tradeswomen, engineers, academics, policymakers, designers, manufacturers, contractors, surveyors, project managers and media. Twice-yearly events bring 200 to 400 women together for drinks and debate led by well-known industry figures at exclusive venues.

This year we are pleased to welcome Annie Hampson (Chief Planning Officer for The City of London), Claire Bennie (Development Director at Peabody), Lucy Heller (CEO of Ark) and a Young Ambassador from The Prince’s Trust. In previous years, guest speakers have included Rt. Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Zoe Blackler (Building Design Magazine), Sara Fox (Swiss RE and the client for the Gherkin), and Sarah Ebanja (lead of the £700 million Arsenal Development).

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss prominent issues and ask questions to other professionals. Speakers will be invited to open up the floor for a question and answer session after their talk.

Supporting the future generation

Thanks to our sponsors, Carillion, we have been able to reduce ticket prices and offer some free tickets to young professionals and students aged between18-25 to encourage even greater inclusion. Furthermore, our event will fundraise for The Prince’s Trust, to help young disadvantaged women to get into the sector through The Trust’s ‘Get into Construction’ Programme.

We operate as a non-profit network with an aim to cover the basic costs of catering and venue through ticket sales.

Venue

The ICA Gallery, home to London Fashion week, is the ideal location for Chicks. Situated on The Mall, minutes away from Charing Cross tube station, it is easily accessible and centrally located. The Nash and Brandon rooms are a spectacular example of Georgian architecture, designed by John Nash himself with views over St James’s Park towards the Houses of Parliament.

Contributor: Alice works for Holly Porter (founder of Chicks with Bricks) at Holly’s Architectural Practice in Wapping – Surface to Air Architects. Alice has been working on the organisation of Chicks with Bricks for the past 9 months as well as doing a bit of architecture on the side.

If you have any queries, please contact Alice Moxley on 07752138242 or visit the website

Twitter handle: @withbricks

Tickets can be purchased via eventbrite