This Sunday, we mark International Women’s Day, a global moment to recognise the achievements of women, reflect on the progress made, and confront the work that still lies ahead. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain” is a powerful reminder that meaningful progress requires active contribution from individuals, organisations, and industries alike.
Within facilities management (FM) and the wider technology landscape, the conversation around representation is more than symbolic; it is fundamental to the future of our industry. Despite FM being a people-focused sector, leadership and technical roles have historically been underrepresented by women. This imbalance matters. Diverse leadership teams drive stronger decision-making, foster innovation, and better reflect the clients and communities we serve. As FM becomes increasingly shaped by digital transformation, data, and smart technology, ensuring female representation across both operational and technology-focused roles is critical to building a more resilient, sustainable, and forward-thinking industry.
At Service Works Global, we are proud that 50% of our leadership team is female – a reflection of our commitment to capability, inclusion, and balanced representation at the highest level.
For Hazel Bedson, SWG’s Marketing Director and sustainability representative, this year’s theme strongly aligns with both her role and our wider commitments as part of the Addnode Group. With sustainability embedded into our business strategy – and gender equality recognised as a key focus area within Addnode’s sustainability agenda – representation is not viewed as a standalone initiative, but as part of a broader responsibility to drive long-term, positive impact. “Give to Gain” also speaks to the importance of social value, such as from our work in supporting local communities to engaging with schools and colleges to help young women develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue careers in FM and technology. By investing time, sharing knowledge, and creating visible pathways into the industry, we can help build a stronger and more inclusive talent pipeline for the future.
Samantha Fuller, Managing Director for Canada and Australia, sees knowledge-sharing as a powerful way to give back. She is passionate about sharing her experience across FM and technology to make a tangible difference: whether that’s sparking curiosity about smarter ways of working, introducing a new digital approach that simplifies processes, or just offering a small piece of advice that ultimately saves time and money. Having been privileged to take part in industry conferences both on stage and as a delegate, Samantha values the role visibility plays in encouraging more women into the sector.
Louise Porter, Finance and HR Director, highlights that finance is another industry traditionally dominated by men. She believes women should feel confident pursuing a career in finance and stepping into senior leadership roles, not only to broaden representation but also to help close the gender pay gap. From an HR perspective, she is proud that SWG champions women across the business – from software developers and technical consultants to marketing, sales, and project management roles – demonstrating that technology careers are not limited by gender but driven by talent and ambition.
Kelly Widger, General Manager for Canada, brings a unique dual perspective, having worked both client-side and on the vendor side of the software industry. This experience has given her valuable insight into how technology can directly address the operational challenges faced within FM and public-private partnership (PPP) environments – a topic she will explore further at our upcoming client User Group in May. Today, she is working at the forefront of BIM and digital twin innovation, contributing thought leadership to national industry magazines and championing how digital transformation can deliver smarter, more efficient built environments.
Together, their perspectives highlight what “Give to Gain” truly means in practice: by sharing knowledge, championing opportunity, and creating space for diverse voices at every level, we strengthen not only our own organisation but the FM and technology sectors more broadly. Progress depends on participation. By continuing to invest in representation, mentorship, and innovation, we can help shape a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking future for the built environment.
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