In the second of our International Women’s Day series, we chat with Patricia Billings, Andron’s first-ever Sustainability Manager. Patricia discusses her proudest achievement at Andron so far, what this year’s theme, #InspireInclusion, means to her and the influence she hopes to have on her female colleagues (and much more).
Please tell us a little about yourself and your role at Andron.
I am passionate about all things sustainability, and my role at Andron is to help guide the business towards a more sustainable future while leaving behind a positive impact on the people and planet.
Which women inspire you the most outside of work?
My older sister inspires me the most because she has always been and continues to be unapologetically herself and never feels like she needs to change to fit in or adhere to the standards set out by society and the people around her.
What is your proudest achievement while working at Andron?
I am quite proud of our first sustainability event, which we held last November. This was one of the first projects I kicked off, and it received a lot of positive feedback. It was great to work with other members of the team and explore different partnerships.
This year’s IWD theme is Inspire Inclusion. In what ways does Andron help you feel included at work?
In a predominantly male team, I feel like my voice is still heard, and my opinions are valued. This makes me feel included, as even though I identify as a woman, I am never made to feel that I am less important or that my opinion doesn’t matter because of it. I am treated as an equal.
Following on from this, what kind of influence do you strive to have on your female colleagues around you to ensure everyone feels valued and included?
I am very passionate about DEI, and if I can influence my female colleagues, it’s to speak up in situations where they feel uncomfortable. A lot of the time, people may say or do things that unintentionally make someone feel excluded, and all it takes is for them to be made aware of it for their behaviour to change. I hope to inspire my colleagues to have these difficult conversations if they ever find themselves in that situation.
Finally, what advice would you give to women looking to start a career in the facilities management industry?
Come as you are and be yourself! It’s no secret that the industry is quite male-dominated, so it’s important you come in and leave your mark, push those boundaries and inspire other women to do the same.