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Ipswich businesswoman recognised for tackling gender inequality in construction

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Clare Friel, owner of Ipswich marketing agency Friel, was among the recipients honoured at a prestigious House of Lords awards ceremony celebrating the UK's most influential women in STEM and construction.

Why it matters: Friel's Women in Construction Anglia (WICA) initiative is working to address gender inequality in the traditionally male-dominated construction sector, creating pathways for the next generation of female professionals.

The awards ceremony, held on Friday, 7 March — the eve of International Women's Day — honoured women making significant contributions to STEM and construction industries.

Friel invited female construction students from West Suffolk College who have benefitted from her initiative, along with their tutor Averil Young, to join her for the evening.

Tim Balcon, Clare Friel, Peaches Golding OBE and Lola Fisher
Tim Balcon, Clare Friel, Peaches Golding OBE and Lola FisherFriel

What they're saying: "I am delighted to have received such a prestigious award," Friel said. "Sharing the stage with these amazing students was the icing on the cake. They are the inspiration behind everything we're doing."

"I've been working in the construction industry for more than a decade now and so much has changed for the better – but we know there is more to be done," she added. "This award shows us we're on the right track – and I'm excited for what's to come."

The bigger picture: Founded in late 2024, WICA has already engaged more than 300 guests at its events, ranging from students to industry experts. The ceremony was hosted by Dr Roni Savage, CEO and founder of Jomas Associates and the founder of the awards.

Tim Balcon, CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and Peaches Golding OBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, were among the special guests at the event.

West Suffolk College tutor Ms Young said: "Taking my incredible female students to the House of Lords for the awards ceremony was more than just a trip – it's about showing them what's possible. Representation matters, and by stepping into these spaces, they'll see that their future in construction and engineering is limitless."

What's next: The next WICA event, the Student Takeover Lunch, will take place at West Suffolk College on Friday, 14 March.

The bottom line: As Dr Savage noted, the awards aim "to accelerate action and inspire the next generation" of women in the construction and STEM sectors.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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