Felicity, 34, is a maintenance supervisor at L&Q and is breaking the mould in a field typically dominated by older men.
She joined L&Q as a maintenance planner with no prior experience and is now encouraging other women to follow her lead.
Felicity said: “The repairs and maintenance industry is a very male-oriented environment.
“That was intimidating at the start, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be taken seriously.”
However, she was met with full support from her colleagues from day one.
Just two years after joining L&Q, she was promoted to maintenance supervisor and now manages a team of 30 male operatives.
Felicity said: “For my son to see me in charge is a great feeling.
“I want to be an inspiration to him.”
In her role, Felicity juggles a range of responsibilities, from scheduling her team’s workload to ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
She also inspects completed work to ensure standards are met and residents’ needs are addressed.
People management is at the heart of her job, as she supports and guides her team.
Her journey hasn’t just been about mastering technical skills or team leadership—it’s also been deeply personal.
Like many women entering male-dominated spaces, Felicity battled imposter syndrome, questioning whether she truly belonged in the trades.
She said: “I didn’t have confidence in who I was, who I could be, what my potential was about.”
Her turning point came from two sources: her achievements and the support of her managers.
Felicity said: “My manager at the time called me after my interview for the supervisor role.
“I told her I wasn’t sure about the outcome, but that regardless, I was proud of myself for how I’d done.
“She said, ‘If you don’t get it, I’m going to push you to go for more opportunities and make sure you keep adding to your skillset.’”
This encouragement, coupled with her growing expertise, proved transformative.
Felicity said: “Guiding the operatives, I picked up so much and fed off the energy and information that was given to me.
“There’s no limit to what I can do.”
Felicity is determined to change perceptions of the trades industry, especially for women.
She said: “When I was young, women were encouraged to go for childcare or hairdressing apprenticeships.”
She wants others to see trades as a viable option, offering skills that last a lifetime.
She said: “If you can plumb, you can plumb forever.
“If you can plaster, you can plaster forever.
“These are skills that you’ll carry with you, and they’ll stand the test of time.”
For Felicity, the appeal of her career lies in its rewards and stability.
She said: “The most rewarding part of my role is seeing residents satisfied once the job is complete.
“When we solve a problem and provide them with peace of mind, I know we’re doing something right.”
The work-to-life balance is another major benefit.
As a single mum to a 13-year-old son, the structure of a 9-to-5 schedule lends itself to family life.
She said: “It’s wonderful working 9-5pm.
“There are no shifts, and I’m able to spend my evenings and weekends with my son.”
Reflecting on her journey, Felicity has an empowering message for women considering a role in the trades: “I’ve gone from working 40+ hours a week on £16k to finding a job that I enjoy, am good at, and pays well.
“At the pub, I was overlooked for a promotion because I couldn’t work overtime.
“Here, I’ve been recognised for my hard work and championed at every opportunity.”
She urges women to lean into their potential, even when self-doubt creeps in.
She said: “If I could go back and give advice to my younger self, I’d say: I can do anything I put my mind to.
“I’m powerful and I can achieve great things.”
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