Jane Potter: “I’m Honoured and Proud”
03 November 2025
Branch Manager at our York and Leeds offices, Jane Potter, has recently received recognition for her excellent work within the industry. Her recent naming within the CITB Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards, in the Most Influential SME/Trade Leader category, highlights her drive and determination.
We caught up with her to hear how it feels to act as a role model for young women within the industry and what she hopes to do next.
How does it feel to be named within the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards?
Jane: “I’m honoured and proud to be involved in such a prestigious award. I took my niece with me to the ceremony and it was lovely to see her feeling so inspired by all these amazing women and role models.
“She works in the engineering sector, in a very male dominated workplace, so it was great to see her experience an event focused on women’s achievements across the whole of the construction industry.”
Why do you think the CITB awards are so important for the construction industry?
Jane: “We need to get more women into our industry! When I first started out, I was the only woman on the team; I had to push through and show I could do the same job as the men, to get people to believe in me. Proving people wrong was my driving factor.
“Now, I think the mindset has changed and we’re seeing more positive shifts in the industry. I used to get asked what I was doing on a building site and told I should be at home in the kitchen! This would never happen nowadays – we’re all a lot more supportive of one another, providing coaching and guidance where needed, regardless of gender.
“It’s a real passion of mine to attract more women into our world, which is why I’m proud to say that I now head up a team that is 22% women!”
How does it feel to know that you’re a role model for other young women in the industry?
Jane: “It feels fantastic! I never thought of myself as especially inspiring – I just get on with the day-to-day. I never imagined I’d be nominated for something like this.
“To get this kind of recognition from other women in the industry is really touching. In turn, they have inspired me! Now, I want to keep pushing and do even more, so that other brilliant women – like my niece – have the opportunity to show off their talent and succeed within the construction industry.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the industry?
Jane: “Just go for it! it really is a fantastic industry and you get to experience a varied number of painting and decorating projects. No one day is ever the same!
“Plus, the Bagnalls board team proves that the apprenticeship route doesn’t close any doors in terms of working your way up. 15% of our current senior leadership team used to be on the tools.
“Family businesses, like Bagnalls, really are brilliant at nurturing talent and helping shape careers. I know that my team truly cares and that all my colleagues, from senior leadership down to our brand-new apprentices, will back each other to be the best they can be.
“Bagnalls has evolved so much over the years, championing women and young talent, really being there for people who want to progress. I’m hoping that other companies will see this as a good example to aim for.”
Finally, if you could nominate someone else for the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards, who would that be?
“My niece. She’s always striving forward in the face of the adversity she faces every day, working in an extremely male-dominated space. But she’s brilliant!
“I look at some other women I know in the industry today and they’re facing the same challenges I did 30 years ago, as a woman in a male-dominated space.
“But, sitting in that room during the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards, surrounded by all these inspirational women, I just thought ‘wow’. It really brings it home, that things are changing, that we can do this.”
Read more about Jane’s success in our recent blog post about the awards, or find out more about how we invest in talent like Jane to help our company thrive.