Five women from the East of England construction sector are among the finalists in a national award scheme designed to underline the contribution women make to the industry.

The Women in Construction Awards, now in their ninth year, provide a showcase for the brightest and the best female achievers in the housebuilding and wider construction industries, and have agaiin this year received entries from some of the biggest and well-known companies in the UK.

Rachel Norman from Robert Norman Construction, based in Framlingham, has been shortlisted in the category of Quantity Surveyor of the Year, recognising the growth of the in-house QS team which she has spearheaded, and her role in the growth of the business.

She said: “The role of a Quantity Surveyor is integral to any successful build so I’m thrilled to have been recognised in this category alongside a very high calibre list of women.”

Dayle Bayliss from Dayle Bayliss Associates, based at Bentley, near Ipswich, has made the final in the Project Manager of the Year category, with an entry focused heavily on Stowmarket’s @TheRec, a project for which she has also been shortlisted for a RICS award.

Dayle said: “Any award shortlisting is fantastic but being selected in a national scheme such as this is an honour. There are some very inspiring women in our sector and it’s only right that their work and achievements are recognised.”

Jackie Biswell from Lowestoft based Apex Roofing iss a finalist in the Business Leader of the Year category, recognising the success she has had in building up Apex Roofing from a start-up in 2013 into a high turnover, well respected firm with national contracts.

She said: “I’m blown away by the nomination for Business Leader of the Year; just to be in the company of the other women on the finalist list is humbling. Apex Roofing has proved that construction doesn’t have to be a man’s world and these awards are a fantastic showcase for why our sector should be considered by more women as a viable career choice.”

Also nominated in the same category is Catherine Guelbert, from leadership development consultancy Aqcuity, based near Stowmarket, who has led the establishment of the New Anglia LEP’s Building Growth sector group.

She is also the chair designate for the social housing organisation Saffron Housing and is a committee member for the Norfolk Construction Excellence Club, which helps to improve business performance in the industry.

Catherine said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected as a finalist for the Business Leader of the year award

“We’ve created the Building Growth sector group in less than a year and it is active, energised and focussed. Our aim is to support New Anglia in its ambition to create 95,000 more jobs, 10,000 new businesses and 117,000 new houses in Suffolk and Norfolk.”

Completing the list of finalists from the region is Jackie Richards from Whole House Energy, based at Tasburgh, near Norwich, who has been shortlisted for the Green Leader Award.

The winners of the Women in Construction Awards will be announced on Thursday, March 26 at ceremony taking place at The Point, Old Traffford, the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club.