Guest post: Holly Porter, founder of Chicks with Bricks
Chicks with Bricks was founded in 2005 as a non-profit networking organisation to connect women – and men – in the industry to their female peers and role models. Each event brings 150-200 guests together for drinks and lively debate led by inspirational female figures from across the property and construction sectors.
We attract a mix of architects, developers, planners, lawyers, engineers, bankers, academics, policymakers, manufacturers, contractors, surveyors, project managers and media, so it’s a representative cross-section of our industry. At our UK events only 12% of the audience are made up of men to highlight the reverse of the current imbalance in the sector.
And we’re supported by high profile bodies such as; The National Association of Women in Construction, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, The Construction Industry Council and Women in Architecture. We’re also pleased to have Building and Building Design as media partners.
At MIPIM this year, we’re delighted to have launched our inaugural event – the first of many we hope! We’ll be combining networking, dinner and an after party on the Thursday night at a great venue on the beach in Cannes. If you’ve already secured your place, look out for the taxis with our pink Chicks with Bricks logo to get a lift to the event. For those of you who haven’t booked yet, there are still a few tickets left for the dinner and room at the after party. Go to www.chickswithbricks.com to find out more.
All profits go to help young, disadvantaged women get into construction through The Prince’s Trusts ‘Get into’ programmes.
As well as running Chicks with Bricks, I am also founder and director of Surface to Air Architects, a London-based practice known for its work in the education, commercial and residential sectors. I hope to see you in Cannes, at Chicks with Bricks on Thursday night or at one of our future gatherings. You won’t be disappointed!
MAXIMISING MIPIM 