Women in construction

Demi Brown

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:06:24 +0000

Demi Brown, Commercial Leader

Demi Brown, a commercial leader whose 18-year global career spans major construction and infrastructure projects across the UK, Australia and the UAE. From hospitals and residential programmes to rail and now cutting edge data centres, Demi brings exceptional commercial insight, strong governance and a practical, solutions focused approach to every project she leads.

As a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), Demi is deeply committed to raising industry standards. She actively supports and mentors colleagues working toward their MRICS accreditation, championing professional growth and empowering the next generation of construction professionals.

Now based in the Middle East, Demi is helping deliver the UAE’s first AIoptimised data centre in Ajman, a landmark development set to strengthen the region’s digital future while creating meaningful community impact. Her leadership reflects the confidence, capability and innovation that women continue to bring to our industry.

Beyond her professional achievements, Demi is a dedicated mother of two and has recently taken up golf, embracing the challenge of learning something new - on and off the course.

Laura Leung

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Laura Leung, Senior Project Manager working on the Single Living Accommodation project for the Ministry of Justice

Inspired by a school event aimed at encouraging girls into construction, Laura switched career ambitions from teaching to construction after visiting a site and engaging with industry professionals. Determined to gain experience, she volunteered on a school refurbishment project and later secured a university place with sponsorship from a major contractor, launching her career in the industry.

Her career has been vibrant and varied, featuring roles on landmark projects such as Aintree Racecourse, Manchester Airport, and the New Everton Stadium, as well as community-focused developments and hospitals. A stint in Australia saw her lead significant initiatives and earn the NAWIC Future Leaders Award. Balancing motherhood and career has been challenging but rewarding, with recognition for her achievements and strong support from both colleagues and family. She is proud of the inclusive culture of her teams and names the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme as her favourite project for its supportive team and opportunities for personal growth. Above all, she values working alongside diverse people and enjoys the constant learning and variety her role offers.

Nicole Waterman

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Project Leader for Sydney Metro West – Station Package West project

Nicole is a highly respected senior design and engineering leader with more than 20 years’ experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary transport and infrastructure projects across Australia and internationally. Known for her deep technical expertise—particularly in major rail and brownfield programs—she is skilled in applying rigorous governance, safety, and assurance frameworks, and serves as Laing O’Rourke’s Technically Authorised Organisation representative for Transport for NSW. A natural communicator and collaborative problem solver, Nicole has shaped strong partnerships with clients such as Sydney Metro and has led teams through challenging interface and integration environments.

Equally, she is a powerful role model and a passionate advocate for women in engineering. Nicole actively champions gender equality by speaking at schools, mentoring young women, and contributing to industry panels for Engineers Australia, Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE), Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Rail Track Association Australia (RTAA). Her leadership was recognised with the 2025 NAWIC NSW Executive Women’s Leadership Scholarship, which supported her studies at MIT’s Global Executive Academy.