“Before we start talking about International Women’s Day, can you give us a bit of an introduction please?”
Hi, my name’s Victoria Pearce, I’m one of three Contracts Managers working in the Services Division of CU Phosco Lighting. I’ve worked in Services for more than 10 years now. I started as Assistant Contracts Manager on the commercial side, but seven years ago I moved over to the Operations side and have been working on that side for three years now.
“As a woman, what’s it like working in what some would call, a heavily male-dominated industry? Do you find that there are any hurdles or challenges that you need to overcome?”
First and foremost, I’m very lucky in the role I have. We have an absolutely fantastic team in services. From the top Service Director to all the lads I work with, they give me lots of support and really respect me. It’s not been easy, you have to earn that respect. Whether you’re a male or a female you have to earn that respect.
I think in the wider industry, I find that clients can be quite surprised dealing with a contracts manager who’s a female. Especially when I was younger. But what I have found is that when I’ve worked with them for a bit, I can really use this to my advantage, and stand out in the crowd as a female Contracts Manager.
I think there’s hurdles there for both (men and women) but you have to find your own path through that.
“What advice would you give to other women that want to get into the Lighting Industry?”
I think, again, the Lighting Industry is brilliant. In the 10 years I’ve been in it, it’s changed, it’s evolved, it’s really grown, I’ve seen so many more females in roles both in the office and on site. It is quite a close-knit community I find. Even competitors are wanting to help you and everyone is so passionate about promoting people and supporting their development.
There’s so many varied roles in the Lighting Industry, there really is something for everybody.
“How has CU Phosco Lighting helped you feel included and heard since working here?”
I think CU Phosco Lighting as a company itself, really believe in and listen to their workforce. I’ve been very fortunate to have been supported by various members of CU Phosco, on a number of projects. Both within our little division and across the wider business.
My biggest, proudest project is the Mental Wellbeing Team. That, for me, has grown from a tiny little seed I planted five years ago, and is now a blossoming group of individuals from all sections of our company. That’s something I’m really proud of. It’s something I took as an idea, and the company ran with it and trusted me with it.
It’s not something we should be doing as a banner, but because it’s the right thing to do. There’s loads of other examples within Services and how we’re evolving and all listened to. Really for me, again, I just use that word lucky, that we’ve got a great team and it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. We’re all in it together.