Jane Potter Named One of The Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction!
22 October 2025
Our lovely Leeds and York Branch Manager, Jane Potter, was recently named in CITB’s Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards, within the Most Influential SME/Trade Leader category.
Now in its fourth year, the CITB awards aim to showcase brilliant women within the male-dominated construction sector, in order to highlight their significant contributions and ensure that young women have positive role models to aspire towards.
All of the 100 women named represent dedication, hard work and an ongoing support for their industry. However, the particular awards category Jane was nominated within recognises women leading small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), specialist trades or independent businesses.
We’re all incredibly proud of the positive way in which Jane represents and champions women within our brilliant painting and decorating industry.
Group Marketing Director, Joanne, said: “Being named within the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction is an accolade Jane truly deserves. It provides true recognition for her hard work across many years, promoting women within our industry.”
Ellie Jobes, our Group People Director, also commented: “Jane began her career with us as an apprentice painter and has played a very influential role in our success when it comes to female apprentice painter recruitment.
“Jane manages our Leeds branch, with a brilliant team made up of 22% women – a huge success when we compare it to the overall industry average of female workers, which stands at just 4%.
“We’re all incredibly proud of Jane and pleased that her success and influence is now being recognised by organisations and awards external to Bagnalls. Well done, Jane.”
Having begun her own career as an apprentice, Jane understands the positive impact of a supportive workplace and inspirational colleagues to support female careers in construction. She also sits on The PDA Training Committee, taking great pride in inspiring the new Bagnalls apprentices to become the best they can be.
She had this to say: “My apprenticeship opened multiple doors for me and helped me progress in my career. It’s fantastic to think that I can provide this same level of support for my team today.
“When I first began working in the painting and decorating industry, I was the only woman on the whole team. Now, I’m incredibly proud to manage a team that is made up of 22% women – and very talented, successful women at that!
“It’s wonderful to be named within the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction and I want to use this recognition to inspire other women who, like me, can join the sector as an apprentice and work their way up.
“Next, we need to make sure that young women know a career within the painting and decorating industry is a viable path for them. Early promotion by teachers and other educators is key to changing ingrained views that this kind of career is ‘just for boys.’ I want more women to feel inspired to join our brilliant industry and showcase their skills.”
Well done, Jane. This is a very well-deserved accolade and we’re prouder than ever to have you as part of the brilliant Bagnalls team.