Kier Build Operations Director Louisa Finlay has won the Inspirational Leader category at the Atkins Inspire Awards, organised by Construction News.

The awards encourage, recognise and reward exceptional women in construction, architecture, engineering and quantity surveying.

Around 400 people attended the second annual event, which was hosted by chief executive of the National Specialist Contractors Council Suzannah Nichol.

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Commenting on her achievements, Louisa had some advice for other women working in construction: "Just be open minded about how you're going to solve the different challenges the industry throws at you, because I think if you're good and you work hard, people are becoming much more flexible to accommodate people's needs, whether they are male or female."

The judges added: "Louisa holds all the qualities needed to lead, not just other women, but her profession as a whole."

(CD/JM)