THE door industry journal summer 2025 26 Industry News Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Breaking the mould to shape the future of architectural ironmongery Despite progress made in recent years, women still make up around only 15% of the UK construction workforce and just 1% work in manual trades. In specialist areas like architectural ironmongery and door hardware, female representation has traditionally been even lower. But at HOPPE (UK) that is not the case. Across departments and disciplines, there are several women who are excelling in technical, sales and logistics roles while helping to redefine what a career in this traditionally male-dominated industry can look like. Opening doors to a bright future With a degree in industrial and product design and a suite of qualifications from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), Jessica Puri is a technical executive for ARRONE, a HOPPE Group brand. Since joining the group as a technical assistant during the pandemic, Jessica has established herself as one of the most skilled users of its ERP systems, making her an extremely valuable member of the team. Jessica’s path into architectural ironmongery was far from accidental – her background gave her strong CAD skills and a systematic approach to solving problems. “GAI training has played a very important part in the development of my career,” she explains. “Being a registered member ensures I’m always up to date with the latest standards and best practices, which benefits our customers and the business alike.” Today, she advocates for companies to provide greater training and development opportunities across roles, genders and ages – much like HOPPE does – to create a more inclusive talent pipeline. “A structured succession programme could help bring more women into key positions and build confidence early,” she says. From apprentice to advisor Sales executive Aimee Parry began her journey as an apprentice, aged 17. Fast forward a few years and she now manages her own sales area, balancing customer visits with her Level 3 GAI Diploma. Previous experience working as a receptionist and in retail gave Aimee an early foundation in building relationships. She’s now transferring those skills to nurture existing customer relationships, while supporting promotional projects to generate new opportunities and deepening her technical knowledge. For Aimee, the way to create a more diverse and dynamic workforce within the industry is clear. “We need to provide training – especially on how hardware works in real-life scenarios – for young people early on,” she says. “That kind of hands-on experience really makes a difference.” Exporting excellence As a stock controller, Emily Hayward ensures HOPPE’s global operations run like clockwork. She oversees all exports from HOPPE (UK) to mainland Europe and the Middle East, and her detailed understanding of customs paperwork and freight processes keeps exports on schedule and on spec. It’s something Emily really enjoys and – armed with a BSc in global development with geography and GAI qualifications – she has brought a fresh perspective to the export function. “GAI training has given me the confidence to answer customer queries directly and find solutions quickly,” she says. “It means I’m not just moving boxes but am adding genuine value.” For Emily, encouraging more women into logistics and operations starts with demystifying the job: “It’s about showing that detail-oriented, fast-paced work is a great fit for a diverse range of people – and that support and training are available.” Building an inclusive future Together, Jessica, Aimee and Emily reflect the transformation taking place at HOPPE (UK): a culture in which women thrive in technical, commercial and operational roles. Their stories prove that talent, determination and the right training can open doors for the next generation of talent in architectural ironmongery. www.hoppe.co.uk
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