Blog: SECBE Awards 2021 finalist - Hana Hassan (Willmott Dixon)

18 May 2021

sponsored by Innovative Future Leaders Programme (IFLP)

Hana Hassan (Willmott Dixon)

G4C Future Leader SECBE Award 2021 finalist

Hana graduated unsure of what careers were out there. However, within the first month of starting a temporary position at Willmott Dixon, she realised that she liked our industry and had a natural aptitude for the built environment.

When she was offered the opportunity to apply for a three-year management trainee programme, Hana accepted, undertaking a post-graduate diploma in quantity surveying via day release and advancing (in her own time) onto a master’s degree, achieving Distinction. Since then, she’s worked through the ranks to her current position, recently achieving RICS Chartered status.

Hana is passionate about driving industry change and helping to challenge preconceptions, showing the next generation the career possibilities in what she describes as “the most exciting and important industry on the planet”. She is a mentor and a coach who invests her own time to develop others – whether through supporting schools with careers events or generating and hosting work experience opportunities.

She has been a lead strategic figure in the Gender Diversity Steering Group for many years and was recently promoted to co-lead of the group for her region, playing a key role in the business being ranked as the top construction company for diversity and inclusion in Europe by the FT.

Hana recognised early on that to inspire a ‘call to action’ you have to amplify your voice, speak up and be visible – particularly to attract more women into the industry. She admits that stepping outside of her comfort zone for the ‘greater good’ does take lots of energy but presenting to over 400 real estate professionals, without the comfort of notes or slides, is something that she is proud of.

She recently received an Individual Excellence Award from the Weybridge Board of Directors and the coveted Hero of the Year Award at the end of 2019.

She is one of two Business Sponsors responsible for supporting, advising on and developing technology solutions for Willmott Dixon’s commercial operations, representing this part of the business nationally.

Hilary Crockett – HR Manager, Willmott Dixon: “Hana is an excellent mentor, manager and team player. She is a role model for Women in Construction and is a definite future leader”

Neil Fox – Construction Manager, Willmott Dixon: “Going the extra mile appears to come naturally to Hana and that is testament to her character. Hana is not only the ultimate professional but, importantly, she cares; Hana cares about the Business, our Customers and our Industry.”

Key facts:

• Leadership - Hana has repeatedly demonstrated her leadership qualities in her role, whilst at the same time being an avid champion for change within the industry. 
• Collaboration, Communication and Customer Care - Hana has put the customers she has worked with at the heart of her work. She has shown dedication to understanding what is important to her customers and has worked to ensure she delivers on all the commitments she has made. 
• Legacy – Hana has dedicated lots of time to the people around her. She commits to their development, supporting, mentoring and coaching young people as well as her colleagues and empowering them to achieve their full potential.

About the G4C Future Leader Award: 

G4C is a driving force for industry change, through the development and connection of future industry leaders. The award is open to a person with less than ten years of experience in the construction and built environment sector (typically less than 35 years of age). More info.

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2021 Summit & Awards Ceremony on Thurs 1st July 2021. Free attendance.