Trades Women

Trades women are out and about in the UK learning trades and working successfully as tradespeople. Kerrie Keeling is founder of A Woman’s Touch, a female construction company based in Wimbledon. She was recently welcomed to a reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Queen, for women in business. 

Kerrie Keeling is founder of A Woman's Touch

Kerrie shook hands with the Queen who asked her about A Woman’s Touch and casually commented that Anne would like that! Kerrie was then introduced to the welcoming committee which included The Princess Royal, the Duchess of Cornwall, The Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester.

Working all hours as an investment banker while trying to renovate her flat, Kerrie Keeling was constantly frustrated by unreliable tradesmen not turning up on time or trying to pass off shoddy workmanship. She realised there was a huge gap in the market for a trustworthy, professional property renovation company and so she left her job to set up A Woman’s Touch run by trades women.

Kerrie wanted to prove that as a minimum standard, tradespeople can be reliable, polite, punctual, tidy and good at their job. Kerrie also wanted to demonstrate that trades women can do an exceptional job in a field dominated by men and today she employs predominantly trades women.

Turnover has doubled each year since trading began and 75% of custom is from repeat business and referrals. It seems to be proof enough that trades women can do it!

The company employs 20 staff, 17 of whom are trades women. It specialises in previously male-dominated trades such as plumbing, carpentry, tiling, plastering, electrics and decorating. Currently operating within the London area, Kerrie is planning national expansion later this year, which will include rolling out the new and exclusive DIY training business run in the comfort of the client’s own home.

Meet the trades women

A Woman’s Touch has a wealth of delighted clients, including Gordon Ramsay, Angela Harknett and the Connaught hotel - and Kerrie has now set her sights on a contract for the Palace! This unique company offers a much needed breath of fresh air to the construction industry. The trades women team are business-like in their approach (all armed with blackberries!), work conscientiously, do exceptional work and pay attention to the finer details such as cleaning up thoroughly at the end of every day, leaving people’s homes cleaner than when they arrive.

For more information please visit A Woman’s Touch, a fantastic company of trades women delivering a quality service across London.