This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is ‘Accelerate Action’, focusing on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional spheres.
One of the best ways to create gender equality is to understand what works and to do more of it. It’s important to acknowledge the strategies that positively impact women’s advancements and support their implementation. Significant barriers to equality remain, but with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere.
Everyone has their own personal experiences and what equality looks like to them. As a traditionally male-dominated sector, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight the voices of women from across our industry. We spoke to women from HETAS Registered businesses, HETAS Approved Manufacturers and HETAS Approved Training Centres to find out what Accelerate Action means to them.
Emily, Business Owner & Chimney Sweep, Dyfed Chimneys
To me, Accelerate Action means inspiring positive change in our industry. Over the past decade, more women have entered the trade, and it’s great to see opportunities expanding along with training and mentoring led by women. By continuing to raise standards, we can strengthen and improve the profession for everyone.
Beverley, Business Owner, Coalwood Heating Centre
I’ve been in the industry for nearly 25 years and at the helm of my company, Coalwood Heating Centre, for the past 5 years. I’m quietly proud of my achievements. Our industry is still traditionally maledominated, but I’m happy to see – and hear – a gradual shift in attitude. Once – and relatively recently customers and suppliers would’ve looked doubtfully at a woman offering advice and discussing technical specifications. They may even have asked to speak to ‘someone technical!’
Nowadays, there may still be some surprise when customers realise that, yes, I can take care of the technical aspects and no, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty – but at least it’s a pleasant surprise. There are more women within the industry, but their roles tend to be admin or customer service focussed – which is absolutely fine, if that’s what they’re happy doing. They need to know it’s not the only option, though. With this year’s IWD theme of #AccelerateAction we have the perfect opportunity to encourage and empower more women into the technical, R&D, designing, manufacturing and installation roles. As the industry faces challenging times, any new and innovative ideas, outlooks, thoughts, and perspectives from all of us can only be advantageous.
Girls and young women need to know they can follow whatever path they choose and stereotypically male industries like ours should be encouraging that, and working with schools, colleges and training providers. That’s how we can Accelerate Action.
Katie, Content Creator & Social Media Manager, Salamander Stoves
Accelerate action means a lot to me, especially within the industry that I work in. Here at Salamander Stoves, the office is fully female lead and we are so proud to have our female director Gill and female manager Grace. The stove industry is usually seen to be quite a male dominated industry and we are often confronted with (usually male!) customers asking to speak with someone in the tech team, as each one of us in the office are so knowledgable in every aspect of the business and our products, including the technical side, it feels so empowering to be able to answer any question.
Justine, Communications Officer, Chilli Penguin Stoves
To me ‘Accelerate Action’ on International Women’s Day means pushing for real change now not later. As someone who has worked in male dominated roles most of my life, it is refreshing that we are now starting to see a change and even more of a focus on gender equality not just in the workplace but further afield. We are proud as a manufacturing company, that our male to female staff ratio is now equal. We believe all our staff members bring different aspects to Chilli Penguin Stoves
Alix, Marketing Manager, ESSE Engineering
I commenced my marketing career handling customer accounts for a print and design company. I progressed to take marketing roles with a CCTV product development team, a retail cosmetic product distributor, and for over ten years now, a stove and cooker manufacturer; ESSE Engineering. ESSE recently celebrated 170 years in business and I am extremely proud to work for a British manufacturer that designs pioneering electric range cookers and cleanburning, ecofriendly wood stoves. We work with a trusted network of retail and installation specialists and I support the retailers with showroom displays, advertising, and events. The best piece of business advice I’ve ever received is to never stop listening and learning. With ESSE’s rich heritage and long history, it might be tempting to stay on a welltrod path. But it’s important to listen to customers and those around you and move with the times; ESSE is known for pioneering ideas so I mustn’t fear change!
Clair, Marketing Manager, Percy Doughty
With extensive experience managing marketing strategy, brand development, and stakeholder engagement at Percy Doughty, a company with a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation in the heating industry. I have seen first hand the importance of strong leadership and inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
As a woman in a senior position, the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action,” is particularly meaningful to me. It highlights the need for tangible steps toward gender equality, ensuring that women not only have a seat at the table but are empowered to lead and drive change.
In my role, I strive to foster an environment where diverse voices are valued, whether through strategic marketing leadership or managing key communications, I am committed to accelerating progress and breaking down barriers for the next generation of women in business.
Achieving gender equality requires more than just awareness, it demands action. By advocating for meaningful change and fostering opportunities for women to thrive, we can create a more equitable and dynamic industry for all.
Sam, Director & Assessor, Mr Soot Training Centre
The mum-of-two is passionate about setting an example to her daughters by demonstrating that gender shouldn’t be a barrier to reaching your potential. Sam said: “The solid fuel industry, like many industries, has traditionally been seen as a ‘man’s world’. And while we have a long way to go, we are seeing more women enter the industry each year. Only the other week, we took an enquiry from a mother and daughter. The mother wanted to become a sweep while the daughter wanted to work alongside her as an installer. What a formidable team they would make! At Mr Soot, we are passionate about raising standards and equality of opportunity. My message to other women thinking of a career in our industry is to just go for it – we’re here to support you.”
Lindsey, Finance Director and General Manager, GRE Energy Training
I have worked in the training sector for over 14 years and have risen to Financial Director and General Manager at GRE Energy Training Ltd. I am responsible for the day to day running of the business delivering a wide range of training courses including HETAS solid fuel and renewables; such as Solar PV, Heat Pumps and other associated courses, helping thousands of tradesmen and hundreds of companies enter and grow in the heating and renewable energy markets. My experience of the plumbing, heating and electrical sector is that it is predominantly male led, bringing the #AccelerateAction campaign, which supports gender equality and recognises the achievements of women in a male dominated environment close to my heart. I continue to strive to support efforts to eliminate any gender bias and discrimination in this sector by promoting gender diversity and leading by example.
Francesca, Contracts Manager, Poujoulat UK
“Accelerate Action” is a call to push forward, challenge the status quo, and create lasting changes for women in all industries. To truly accelerate action, we must:
By working together, we can build a future where women not only participate in business but lead with confidence and impact. The time to act is now—let’s accelerate the momentum!
Siobhan, Business Development Manager, Poujoulat UK
In what is perceived to be a male dominated industry, #AccelerateAction means challenging outdated perceptions. Whether on-site, in showrooms, or in boardrooms, we must foster a culture where women are respected, valued, and given equal opportunities to progress. This means actively encouraging more women into the trade, providing mentorship and training, and ensuring workplaces are inclusive and supportive. By accelerating action today, we build a stronger, more diverse industry for the future.
HETAS Ltd
HETAS, Severn House, Unit 5 Newtown Trading Estate, Green Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 8HD
HETAS
Severn House
Unit 5 Newtown Trading Estate
Green Lane
Tewkesbury
GL20 8HD
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