At SE10, gender balance is a reality – but in the industries we serve, it remains a challenge. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate progress, share our team’s experiences, and explore how we can accelerate action to drive meaningful change in industrial segments.
At SE10, we’re proud to mark International Women’s Day – not just as a moment to celebrate progress but also to reflect on the work still to be done. As a B2B PR agency, we operate in sectors that are still heavily male-dominated, such as construction, manufacturing, and engineering. Many of our clients have set targets to increase numbers of female employees, including in leadership positions, recognising the business and cultural benefits of diverse teams. To this end, we’re supporting with communication strategies that help to showcase role models and inspire more women not just to pursue careers in STEM fields but to take on leadership roles. However, as a team that already enjoys an equal balance between men and women, we know that real progress is about more than statistics – it’s about fostering workplaces where everyone, no matter their gender, feels seen, heard, and valued.
A culture of inclusion at SE10
So what is it like to work in a company where gender balance is the norm? Our team members share their thoughts:
Salmah Elhaissane, Account Manager, Singapore
“Having worked in male-dominated industries, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. Achieving a 50/50 balance at SE10 is a fantastic milestone, but true inclusivity goes beyond numbers – it’s about fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are embraced, opportunities are equal, and support systems are in place for everyone to thrive. SE10 has definitely achieved that, and I’m proud to work for a company that embraces diversity.”
Ben Poulten, Creative Designer, UK
“I’ve enjoyed working at a company with strong gender representation and attribute this to an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture.”
Jack Porter, Account Manager, UK
“I have worked in several male-dominated industries, and this is the first time I have worked in a place where gender balance has been achieved. I listen and learn from both my male and female colleagues almost every day at SE10.”
Navigating male-dominated environments
While SE10 fosters a balanced and inclusive workplace, many of our female colleagues still frequently find themselves in male-dominated spaces when working with clients. Their experiences highlight both progress and ongoing challenges:
Hannah Kitchener, Associate Director, London
“In marketing and communications roles among our clients, there’s a good mix of both men and women, but when we step into their customers’ world – whether on construction sites or at tradeshows – it’s undeniably a male-dominated environment. That said, I’ve always felt welcomed on-site, though finding properly fitting PPE has occasionally been a challenge. Interestingly, being one of the only women in the room has sometimes worked to my advantage, helping me stand out and be more memorable in conversations. While progress is being made, there’s still work to do in ensuring greater representation across all levels of the industry.”
Mariana Santos, Account Director, USA
“From my personal experience, PR and marketing seem to be the only places reserved for women in industrial and manufacturing sectors. Our clients are mostly men. I believe there’s still a lot to be done for women to be more present in the construction and packaging industries, to name just two.”
Bolly Methakittiworakun, Digital Marketing Manager, London
“While I am relatively new to the industrial segment, my experience in other B2B sectors such as Fintech, Climate-tech, HRTech, and RegTech has been positive. Despite the majority of my colleagues having been men, there was a strong culture of respect and collaboration throughout the companies. We connected with one another beyond work-related conversations, sharing interests and experiences.”
What does ‘Accelerate Action’ mean to SE10?
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ resonates deeply with our team. For us, it’s about making deliberate choices and taking meaningful steps toward gender equality.
Ben Shaw, CEO
“It’s a theme that perfectly encapsulates what needs to happen in industrial segments around greater gender representation.”
Matt Pearman, Associate Director, Singapore
“Taking urgent and impactful steps to advance gender equality, empower women, and drive meaningful change worldwide.”
Rosie Hopkins, Account Director, UK
“I believe it means making conscious choices and deliberate actions in support of women in the workplace – ensuring equal pay and listening to women’s voices and knowledge. But I’d go one step further: I think accelerating action also means holding ourselves as women to account, leading in our professional lives in a completely authentic way. No more leading like men — leave that to them. Let’s take action, lead like women, and be proud!”
Driving change in industrial segments
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we also recognise the need for continued action – and at SE10, we are committed to supporting greater representation of women in construction, manufacturing, and engineering through strategic PR initiatives, amplifying female voices, promoting role models, and showcasing the benefits of diverse a diverse workforce and leadership.
If your company is looking to encourage more women to join your industry, SE10 can help though a targeted communication campaign. Get in touch and let’s accelerate action together.
