On this episode of Business of Building I am joined by Rachel Bell, an Architect and Director of Partnerships at Stride Treglown. Her journey started with a BTEC in Construction and then she studied architecture at Bath university. Having joined Stride Treglown in 2000, Rachel has worked across many different sectors. Her role now at board level is leading the Winning Work team. Beyond her day job, Rachel supports numerous initiatives encouraging a more inclusive construction industry for the future. She has recently handed over her role on the SW Regional Board for LandAid (youth homelessness), she is currently a mentor with Mentoring Circle and is outgoing National Chair for Women in Property 2021/ 2022. As an industry role model, Rachel has won many awards and accolades for her contributions. In 2018-19, she was named a UK Construction Week Role Model, Property Week RESI Trailblazer, Insider SW Property Personality of the Year 2018, Insider SW Diversity champion of the year 2021, SW Mentor of the Year and was twice a finalist in the European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards. Rachel’s mantra is ‘Stand Tall’ something she supports and encourages everyone to do, to step up and out of their comfort zone. In this episode we talk about what is was like breaking into the male-dominated construction and engineering space as a woman, and how these gender biases has spurred her on, not just to be best in class during her studies, but a leader and highly-respected advocate for change in our industry.  Learn about the Orbis Expedition here.  You can also hear Rachel on her own podcast Stand Tall, available wherever you get your podcasts.    Here are the highlights:  (02:32) Getting hands on at an early age  (08:55) Succeeding in a man’s world  (12:49) Thriving on the pressure  (16:19) Widening my network  (20:28) The impact of Covid  (27:38) Enabling younger staff to network  (32:21) You can’t make enemies  (35:50) The feeling of having to prove myself  (39:54) The Orbis Expedition    Connect with Rachel:  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  Listen to Stand Tall with Rachel Bell  Business of Building celebrates the normal and the regular; the inspiring risk taker; the dreamer in all of us and hear from those who have walked the path before us and dared to dream. We will hear their journey, their stories, and what they learned along the way.  So please subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts, and remember to leave a review so others can find us. This podcast is produced by The Podcast Boutique.