Karen is the social impact & inclusion director at HLM and has been with the company for almost 40 years. She began working for HLM on a youth training scheme at the age of 17. In 2000, Karen joined the board, serving as managing director from 2017 to 2024. She continues to lead on two of HLM’s six strategic objectives.
Karen has extensive experience in leadership, mentoring, inclusion, and driving forward strategic initiatives at both company and city level. She designed the HLM Academy and guiding principles to support personal and professional development, and the frameworks behind growing HLM’s next generation. She also led the transition to employee ownership in 2020.
Karen is involved in a variety of steering groups and committees including the RIBA EDI Leaders Group, Future Leaders Steering Committee, and President’s Task Force. She also holds a number of external roles including chair of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology.
Receiving little careers advice at school has driven Karen’s focus on helping to unlock untapped potential of others across the communities in which HLM works. She’s helped develop initiatives and pathway programmes with schools in low social mobility areas to raise awareness of the different roles within the built environment.
Karen’s passionate about creating an inclusive environment that enables every person to reach their full potential. She’s the Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Sponsor, advocating for a culture of equity. Her focus is on maximising social value across all activities and projects to achieve outcomes that impact people for generations. She’s committed to maintaining HLM’s position as an Employer of Choice and continues to inspire others through her journey from apprentice to managing director.