Women at the heart of TG Lynes’ ethos

One of London’s leading suppliers of heating, plumbing and air movement materials celebrated International Women’s Day – by sponsoring events for females in the local area and engaging with its own employees.

Diversity and sustainability are a central focus for TG Lynes as the business looks to support both its people and its local community in and around Enfield.

The business marked International Women’s Day by hosting visibility and impact training for women within the business.

TG Lynes also held a round table discussion for all female employees to discuss how the business could improve further still to be an even more attractive place for women to work.

Martin Hastings, Managing Director of TG Lynes, said: “A diverse workplace is crucial to the ethos of TG Lynes and we are constantly taking steps to ensure our workforce is made up of a wide range of people from all sorts of backgrounds.

“On International Women’s Day we were pleased to offer our female colleagues some additional training and also to hold the round table discussion

“It was very interesting to talk to the women and to hear about the things we get right as a business, as well as ideas for the future.”

TG Lynes already has a number of women in senior roles, including Area Sales Manager Gemma Skelton.

Gemma said: “When I was younger and less confident, I did experience some reluctance to deal with me in a male dominant environment,” she said.

“I’ve witnessed the industry become more inclusive. It has changed over time with people becoming more respectful and accepting that women can do as professional a job as their male colleagues.

“There is still room for improvement, but the industry is certainly moving in the right direction.”

Christine Traynor is a new recruit to the TG Lynes team having joined as a delivery driver in November.

The 38-year-old readily admits she is surprised how quickly she has settled into the business and is already eyeing a long career with the company.

She said: “I’ve been a chef for the last 20 years so I’m used to working in a male dominated industry but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started at TG Lynes.

“I have to say, it couldn’t have gone any better. My colleagues at TG Lynes have been extremely welcoming and have helped me settle in perfectly from the first day.

“When I arrive at deliveries, I think a few of our customers are a little surprised to see they are receiving their materials and products from a woman but they are all very supportive and I get a lot of people saying ‘good on you’ which is lovely to hear.”

TG Lynes took the opportunity of International Women’s Day to offer financial support to Lewisham College for a plumbing competition and to Streatham-Croydon women’s rugby team for a tour of Wales.

TG Lynes provided more than £1,000 worth of plumbing materials for the Lewisham College trade contest, which will see eight female apprentices go head-to-head to win prizes.

Bob Noseda, Interim Skills Advisor for ESG which is organising the competition as part of the group’s Buildsmart Skills initiative, said: “International Women’s Day has become a landmark day in the calendar and there is no better way to mark it than by holding an all-female trade competition.

“We are hugely grateful to TG Lynes for donating the materials and it’s great to have a major company involved in what is the first event of its kind.”

TG Lynes also sponsored Streatham-Croydon RFC for its May tour of Cardiff, in conjunction with one of its customers, Gloster.

Rebecca Byrom, of the club’s tour committee, said: “Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, and it’s great that TG Lynes is supporting its progress by getting involved.”

TG Lynes stocks industry leading brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available.