We recently caught up with Lorna Lynch of Tarstone Road Maintenance Ltd, the winner of the recent Women in Construction category at the 2024 Machinery Movers Industry Awards.
Lorna joined her dad Ernie’s business at just seventeen, helping both on site and in the office. Some days this was a traffic marshal, other days the stop-go sign operator or sometimes just sorting the mail.
This story is not predictable and acts to reinforce the need to recognise and recruit more women into the industry.
Lorna is passionate about what she does and cognisant of what shaped her. Combine this with a business philosophy and developed culture, we have quite a force of nature.
A keen Coldplay fan, a career that included one year as a flight attendant with Brittania Airways that ended, because it wasn’t as attractive, interesting or exciting as construction…Hence the title of our piece.
Let’s meet Lorna.
Why did you enter the Women in Construction Category?
I see construction as a male dominated world, lots of people know who the top ten men in business are, but not the women.
So, by entering Lorna wants to raise awareness to change the status quo, add balance, perspective and attract more women to consider a career in construction.
Next year after a successful recruitment drive, Tarstone will be employing its first female civil engineering apprentice. A champion for civil engineering, Lorna is thankful that Enterprise Ireland now offers an apprentice course for this profession.
So much so that Lorna, with two daughters herself, would be thrilled if her eldest who is considering this course, would be able to start her career in construction.
What perception do you believe women have of the industry?
Lorna believes that a combination of being outdoors in all weathers, inflexible working hours and childcare will be key factors as to why women don’t choose construction.
What has shaped you as a person?
I come from a hardworking family; educational qualifications were not a priority. My dad worked hard, learnt on the job and developed a keen understanding of common sense.
From the age of 10 Lorna was out on a Saturday with her dad at work ‘helping out’. These formative years unbeknown to her at the time would, as her dad knew, help to shape the businesswomen she is today.
Professionally what are you most proud of?
When I look around the office, I am so proud of how and who we have recruited, the team we have built and the culture we have created. We have not always gone for the best CV or largest list of qualifications, or indeed people already in the industry. We chose the people that will be right for the role and people who will grow into the role. The right fit is what matters.
How would you best describe yourself?
Interestingly Lorna said: One, she is open minded, always keen to explore all the options.
Two, unshockable, when it goes wrong don’t panic or stress.
Three, never puts yourself first, always look at how things impact everyone.
Driving the Business On.
At just nineteen and with a fresh driving licence, Lorna could be found driving up and down the M1 on a recently won patching project. Then, when the night shift was over and after just a few hours’ sleep. it was back in the office…All by choice.
Further time with her dad led to Ernie starting to share the best ways to price jobs, taking measurement and levels to enable quotations, all of which in time became the norm.
Discovered to be dyslexic and with a standard secondary education, Lorna’s self-taught understanding and appreciation of numbers has enabled todays specialism in the financial side of the business.
This in turn has led to a personal drive to ensure that from an accreditation, legislation, quality and safety perspective the company’s reputation is well protected.
A Special Relationship.
What was the best advice Lorna’s dad had ever given?
There are two things that still hold true today. Firstly, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Secondly, don’t worry what others are doing focus on what you’re doing.
What advice would Lorna give to the women of Ireland?
The industry is changing, there are more opportunities for women that offer good pay and there are now more flexible working conditions. Be a pioneer and consider a career in construction.
Men in Construction.
Men in construction have daughters, you know the industry, you can see its changing for the better, it’s safer, cleaner, intelligent and more empathetic. Why not encourage your daughter to consider a career in construction.
Lorna’s dad has four children, two boys and two girls. The boys are in retail, the girls are both women in construction.
