Held at the Penventon Park Hotel, the event welcomed women from across the construction industry, alongside colleagues and advocates who support women in the workplace. The programme focused on the power of coaching and mentoring as tools for personal growth, resilience and leadership development within a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Ann Daniels, one of the world’s most accomplished female adventurers, shared powerful insights drawn from her experiences leading multiple polar expeditions, including journeys to the North Pole. As a world record holder and seasoned expedition leader, Ann has spent years navigating extreme environments where teamwork, trust and mental resilience are critical to survival. During her keynote session, she connected these lessons directly to the challenges faced by women working in construction, encouraging attendees to push beyond perceived limits and adopt a strong, purposeful mindset.
Participants described Ann’s session as both motivating and practical, offering clear parallels between leadership in extreme conditions and leadership in the workplace. Her story of breaking barriers and thriving in high-pressure environments resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom face similar challenges in their professional lives.
The event also featured an interactive workshop led by Paul Keene, Future Skills Delivery Manager at Truro & Penwith College. With more than 20 years’ experience in learning and development, including within the engineering sector, Paul explored how effective coaching and mentoring can help individuals feel valued, supported and empowered at every stage of their career.
Drawing on his expertise as a licensed MBTI© and EBW© practitioner, Paul guided attendees through thought-provoking discussions around emotional behaviours, leadership styles and the impact of supportive workplace cultures. His session highlighted how coaching and mentoring not only benefit individuals, but also deliver tangible improvements in team performance and business outcomes.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in meaningful conversations, shared experiences and built new connections with peers from across the sector. The event reinforced the importance of investing in people, developing confidence and creating inclusive environments where women can thrive.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Construction Skills Project, the successful collaboration between industry and education partners reflects a growing commitment in Cornwall to support women in construction and strengthen leadership pathways for the future. By combining global adventure insight with local skills expertise, the event left participants inspired, energised and equipped with practical tools to take back into their workplaces.
