Ceri Evans on Red Lines, Resilience and Redefining Leadership in Construction
- Rebecca Heald
- Jul 19
- 4 min read
When we talk about trailblazers in the construction industry, Ceri Evans isn’t just part of the conversation, she’s rewriting it.
In a recent episode of The Heald Approach Podcast, Ceri joined me to share her remarkable journey from classical singer to Global Director at Mace Consult, a career built not just on technical skill, but on resilience, reinvention and unapologetic leadership.
What unfolded was a powerful, unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to lead, especially as a woman in construction. This blog dives into the big takeaways: red lines, work-life boundaries, bias in leadership, and how motherhood sharpened her leadership edge.
From Opera to Infrastructure: The Unlikely Path
Ceri’s journey into construction wasn’t planned, it was earned. From performing as a soloist for Prince Charles at 17 to becoming a PA at the Institution of Civil Engineers, her transition into the built environment was driven by curiosity, opportunity and grit.
But it wasn’t long before someone saw her potential beyond her job title. Within just three years, Ceri went from executive assistant to running her own £200 million civils package, a rare trajectory, even by today’s standards.
“That only happened because someone believed in me,” she said.
Her story echoes what many advocates from networks like NAWIC UK and Women in Construction Summit have long emphasised: leadership development for women in construction isn't about quotas, it's about recognising capability and removing systemic blind spots.
Why Resilience Isn’t Taught in the Boardroom
Before she stepped into boardrooms, Ceri was navigating psychiatric appointments as a teenage carer for her father. His eventual suicide marked a defining chapter of her life, one that shaped her emotional resilience long before the word became a corporate buzzword.
“I lived life in black and white for 10 years… I didn’t know any different. That was my normal.”
These aren’t the stories that typically make it into corporate bios but they should. Because female leaders in construction often carry invisible layers of experience that make them stronger, more empathetic, and more grounded.
As the Centre for Mental Health highlights, unresolved trauma and care responsibilities are still overlooked in leadership pipelines. Ceri’s story is proof that real resilience starts far beyond the workplace.
The Power of Red Lines
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was about red lines, those non-negotiables that keep us human.
“Put your red lines in the diary. Then protect them like hell.”
Whether it’s school pick-up, time with an elderly parent, or simply a walk with your dog, Ceri believes these boundaries are sacred. And not just for employees, for leaders too.
Research from CIPD on flexible working supports what Ceri practises: that clear boundaries and personal agency improve productivity, retention, and mental health across teams.
In the construction industry, where burnout and presenteeism still loom large, this kind of thinking isn’t just refreshing, it’s radical.
From Management to Leadership in Construction
Ceri and I spoke about the gap between management and leadership and how many people still confuse the two.
Just because someone is technically brilliant doesn’t mean they’re ready to lead. We see this across the sector: high performers being promoted without the tools or mindset to support teams.
“Leadership is about creating thinking space and living space. It’s about permission, for your team, and for yourself.”
This resonates with Harvard Business Review’s research, which shows the best leaders are those who continue to evolve, challenge norms, and learn from others especially those with lived experience different to their own.
How Motherhood Made Her a Better Leader
Ceri didn’t become a mum until 45, after global roles, high-stakes projects, and years of assuming motherhood might never happen. And when it did, everything shifted.
“Becoming a mother made me more intentional. More human. It reminded me how much people carry.”
This is a crucial insight in any leadership development conversation, especially for women in construction, where the cultural script often pits motherhood against ambition.
Instead of slowing her down, parenting sharpened her leadership focus. She now plans months in advance with her partner (also a senior leader), honours drop-offs and pick-ups, and protects family time as part of her leadership strategy.
That’s not just a lifestyle choice. It’s a leadership framework backed by organisations like The Female Lead, who advocate for diverse, emotionally intelligent leadership across all sectors.
Challenging Unconscious Bias: And Calling It What It Is
Despite her achievements, Ceri still walks into rooms where people underestimate her. Because of her age. Her gender. Her energy.
She shared a moment when a woman in a legal team assumed she was too young to be senior and was stunned when Ceri began speaking.
The construction sector may have moved forward, but unconscious bias still exists and not just among men. That’s why books like Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez resonate so deeply with women in technical professions.
Systems were not built with women in mind. That’s not an opinion. It’s a data-backed fact.
And it’s exactly why conversations like this one matter.
Why We Need More Voices Like Ceri’s
Ceri’s story reminds us that inclusive leadership isn’t a policy, it’s a practice.
Whether it’s championing red lines, promoting based on potential, or creating workplaces that allow space for real life, we need more leaders who walk the talk.
Her episode is one of our most listened-to yet, and it’s easy to see why. Because it’s not about theory. It’s about truth. And in an industry that’s evolving fast, we need more leaders...women, parents, carers, creatives, stepping forward and owning space.
More From The Heald Approach
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If you're building a business, a career or a legacy in the built environment and you're ready to do it without shrinking make sure you're subscribed to The Heald Approach Podcast and follow on LinkedIn for more unapologetic, unfiltered takes.
Because women in construction aren’t just entering the room.We’re changing how it’s built.