Holcim has launched Women in Sustainable Construction (WISC), a long-term leadership and capability-building initiative across its UAE and Oman operations aimed at advancing the role of women in technical, operational, sustainability and leadership functions.
Announced on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the programme is designed to strengthen upskilling, industry engagement and mentorship, while reinforcing Holcim’s positioning as a leader in low-carbon and circular construction.
The initiative aligns with Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and broader ambition to drive sustainable transformation across the built environment.
“Delivering Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy and driving sustainable construction requires diverse ways of thinking, leading and collaborating,” said Ali Said, CEO of Holcim UAE and Oman. “Women in Sustainable Construction is about expanding who leads that change and strengthening the next generation of talent needed to enable innovation and long-term transformation across our industry.”
Holcim said the programme reflects its belief that accelerating decarbonisation and circularity depends not only on materials and technology, but also on inclusive leadership and diverse technical expertise. WISC is structured to create pathways for women to influence the future of construction, particularly in engineering, sustainability and innovation-focused roles.
“Advancing sustainable construction is as much about people and leadership as it is about materials and technology,” said Anna Griffin, Head of Sustainability and Advocacy at Holcim UAE. “By investing in skills, visibility and inclusive leadership, we are helping build the capabilities needed to transform the construction sector and support the UAE’s climate and net-zero ambitions.”
The initiative is built around three core pillars. The first focuses on technical and leadership skills, offering targeted training, workshops and participation in industry conferences to provide exposure to global best practices in sustainability, decarbonisation and innovation.
The second pillar centres on industry engagement and partnerships, connecting participants with regional and international platforms focused on energy transition, circularity and the low-carbon economy, positioning Holcim at the heart of dialogue around the future of sustainable construction.
The third pillar emphasises mentorship and professional growth, including structured mentoring pathways, cross-functional exposure and community engagement through corporate social responsibility programmes.
Holcim said the programme is supported by a dedicated governance structure to ensure alignment with business objectives and national sustainability goals, embedding the initiative within its corporate culture and long-term strategy.
Through Women in Sustainable Construction, Holcim aims to demonstrate that building a sustainable future requires investment not only in innovative solutions, but also in the people who drive change across the construction industry.
Holcim launches Women in Sustainable Construction in UAE
