This International Women’s Day, we want to share a story that reflects resilience, growth and determination.
Ange, our Lead Coordination Manager at HMM Mechanical & Building Services, did not follow a traditional academic path. She did not collect a long list of GCSEs. She did not thrive in exam halls. But she built a career through drive, consistency and the refusal to give up. And that is exactly why her story matters.
“College Wasn’t for Me”
Ange finished school in 2003 and went on to college. Within 12 months, she realised it wasn’t the right environment for her. Sitting exams and writing essays didn’t reflect what she was capable of.
She completed a BTEC in Business with a Distinction, but due to family circumstances, she couldn’t continue in education.
For many young people, that point can feel uncertain. When you don’t fit the academic mould, it’s easy to question your future.
But sometimes, not fitting the mould is where growth begins.
As part of her college course, Ange completed a one-day-a-week placement at a local garage, helping with admin tasks — booking in vehicles, organising paperwork, supporting the office. It was there that someone noticed something in her. The accounts manager offered her an apprenticeship in credit control. Ange took the opportunity, even though she didn’t have the “perfect” GCSE results. What she did have was reliability, willingness to learn and quiet determination. She discovered she loved the role. She completed her apprenticeship, gained hands-on experience and continued building her career in credit control at another company.
Not through grades.
Through growth.
Ange is open about the fact that she struggled with exams.“I could do the job — I just couldn’t sit and write about it.”
That frustration is something many people understand. Some minds are not wired for long essays and silent exam halls. Some people learn by doing, by solving problems in real time, by getting stuck in. Give Ange a challenge and she will work it out. It may take a different route. It may take longer. But she will find the solution. And today, that mindset defines her leadership.
Now, as Lead Coordination Manager, Ange plays a crucial role within the business. She oversees scheduling, coordination, organisation and problem-solving on a daily basis. Her position requires clarity, communication, financial awareness and decision-making. None of that came from perfect exam scores. It came from experience. From stepping up. From learning on the job. From having someone believe in her — and choosing to believe in herself.
Ange’s advice is realistic and honest. If she could go back, she would secure her Maths and English GCSEs — not because they define intelligence, but because they offer flexibility later in life. But she is clear on one thing: GCSEs are not the be-all and end-all. If you struggle academically, it does not mean you are not capable.
If you prefer practical learning, it does not mean you won’t succeed. If you feel lost at 16 or 18, it does not mean your future is limited. Determination, attitude and work ethic carry weight. Sometimes more than paper qualifications.
We are a trades-based company working across mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building services — an industry traditionally seen as male-dominated. On-site, you’ll see engineers, tools and installations. But behind every completed job is a strong office team keeping everything moving. The women in our office manage finance, accounts, credit control, job bookings, scheduling, client communication and operational planning. They ensure engineers are where they need to be. They keep systems organised. They support the structure that allows projects to run smoothly. Their contribution may not always be visible on-site, but it is essential. Ange’s story is one example of how women in our industry are leading, organising and driving progress every single day. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who build careers in their own way — whether on-site or behind the scenes.
Because education matters. But determination builds futures. And sometimes, the most powerful success stories begin with someone simply deciding not to give up.
