GGF WFN Partnership
Here, Sarah Ball, Founder of the Women in Fenestration Network, talks about working in collaboration with the GGF.
GGF members benefit from new WFN strategic partnership
When Lauren Mawford became Director of the Glass & Glazing Federation earlier this year, she spoke about helping members navigate an increasingly complex business environment and ensuring they have access to the support they need to succeed. Those conversations extend beyond technical guidance and compliance. They also include attracting, developing and retaining good people.
A lot of the discussion centres on attracting new people into fenestration, and rightly so. But there’s another part of the equation that deserves just as much attention – developing and retaining the talented people we already employ.
Across our industry, women play an essential role in the success of businesses. We often see them working in customer service, finance, estimating, operations, marketing, HR, compliance, sales and technical support. These are the roles that keep businesses moving every day. Increasingly, we’re also seeing more women progress into senior leadership positions, and both the GGF and many of its member companies reflect that positive change.
The GGF has supported WFN from the very beginning as an event sponsor, with Lauren joining the panel of inspirational women at our inaugural Professional Development Day. Following the success of that event, the GGF and WFN have entered a Strategic Partnership to bring additional benefits to GGF members.
The Women in Fenestration Network is dedicated to supporting women working across every part of the fenestration industry. Through mentoring, professional development, networking and training, WFN helps individuals build skills and confidence while enabling businesses to develop, retain and nurture talented employees.
Run by Sioned Yates and me, we have more than 50 years’ combined experience in the industry. We’re delighted to be working alongside Lauren and Amy Hopton-Smith, GGF’s Head of Commercial and Operations, to develop initiatives that support both individuals and businesses.
WFN complements the GGF’s support by focusing on the professional development of women working within member businesses.
GGF members can join WFN as Corporate Members at a discounted rate or choose Individual Membership with no joining fee and the option to pay monthly. Membership provides access to our mentoring programme, preferential rates for Lunch & Learn sessions, networking events, the 2027 Professional Development Day and a growing programme of training and professional development.
Corporate Membership gives businesses an affordable way to invest in the development of female employees across their organisation, helping them build confidence, broaden skills and strengthen professional networks.
For many businesses, sending an employee on a WFN mentoring programme or Lunch & Learn may be one of the simplest investments they make all year, but one that can have a lasting impact on confidence, communication, leadership and staff retention.
That’s good for the individual, but it’s also good for the business.
Our first joint initiative will be the WFN Lunch & Learn at GGF Headquarters on 15 September. The topic – Confidence & Imposter Syndrome – was chosen because it consistently emerged during conversations with women across the industry. It’s a practical session, delivered by an experienced coach, with techniques that delegates can take straight back into the workplace.
Any woman working in the industry is welcome to attend by booking via the WFN Eventbrite page.
We believe hosting the Lunch & Learn programme at GGF Headquarters demonstrates the importance both organisations place on this Strategic Partnership and on investing in the women who work across our industry.
This collaboration offers another practical resource for GGF members. Businesses already invest in technical training because they understand the return it brings. Investing in people deserves the same attention.
Sioned and I know from the conversations at our Professional Development Day, and since, that many women in support roles can sometimes feel overlooked. If we want to build resilient businesses for the future, supporting women who already contribute so much to our industry is a very good place to start.
