The painting and decorating industry is undoubtedly dominated by men. According to recent statistics, only around 4% of the sector is made up of women, which can be discouraging for young women who may otherwise have considered a career in painting and decorating.
However, recent customer demand for female painters and decorators may be driving a change within the industry. Google search data shows a 56% rise in searches for ‘female painters and decorators near me’ and a 200% rise in searches for ‘woman decorator near me’.
National painting and decorating company Bagnalls recognises this demand and is committed to raising representation for women within the industry, ensuring that female colleagues attend recruitment events at schools and colleges, providing role models for young women to aspire to.
33% of Bagnalls’ recent apprentice intake was female – a particularly high proportion when we consider the dominance of male apprentices within this space. Bagnalls believes that promoting opportunities for women to succeed within the industry at a school and college level is encouraging more young women to join Bagnalls’ ever-expanding team of decorators.
In honour of International Women’s Day – taking place 8th March 2025 – we speak to three influential women at Bagnalls about their career journeys, discovering what advice they would give to other women looking to break into the male-dominated painting and decorating industry.
What is it like working in the painting and decorating sector as a woman today?
Jane Potter began her career with Bagnalls as one of their first female apprentices – after 33 years of service with the company, she is now a brilliant Branch Manager. She replies, “When I first started out in this industry, I was the only woman on the whole team. Now, I am proud to have 11 women working as painters and decorators on my team alone! It’s fantastic to see more women joining our industry.”
Becky Slater is Bagnalls’ Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), maintaining the company’s focus on high standards of health and safety. Becky says, “I spend my days doing a wide range of tasks, from carrying out safety visits and delivering training seminars to preparing statistics and having safety conversations with colleagues.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of women joining Bagnalls, especially in operational roles. It’s great to be able to interact with a lot of different people during my everyday tasks.”
Katie Sanders is a painting and decorating apprentice with Bagnalls who has won multiple awards during her time with the company. Katie comments, “My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to work with loads of different people of different ages and backgrounds.
“My group at college is a fairly equal mix of men and women. When we’re on a job, we all treat one another the same. I don’t feel as though I am treated any differently because I’m a woman – which is great!”
What barriers have you overcome during your career?
Jane: “I’ve had to overcome several challenges throughout my career – particularly in the early days when the industry was even more male-dominated that it is now. I was determined to prove those who doubted my abilities wrong.
“There were moments when I had to work twice as hard to demonstrate my skills and knowledge but, over time, my work spoke for itself. There used to be a lot more intense and obvious sexism within the industry – it’s far more inclusive now.
“For example, even once I had been promoted, people used to question my presence or ask if they could speak to my manager – I loved being able to tell them ‘I am the manager.’”
Becky: “When I think back to the PPE and workwear I’ve had to use in the past – it never fit me properly. I always had to wear two pairs of socks inside my boots because they were made for men’s feet.
“Or, even worse, we were given ‘women’s PPE’, which invariably had pink somewhere on it – one pair of boots even had a tag that said ‘safe and glamorous’. I just wanted to be safe and professional.
“I’ve helped break down this barrier for women at Bagnalls by working with colleagues to develop our bespoke workwear range, using feedback from our workforce. We now have female and male versions of all PPE, from boots and high-vis vests to bespoke male- and female-fit painters whites. We believe we also have what is the first bespoke designed bib and brace for women in the country!”
Katie: “When I first started working, I was in catering or warehouse environments, where people commented more on me being female in a negative way. This felt like a barrier to me being able to just get on and work.
“Now, though, people tend to have a positive reaction – saying things like ‘oh, you’re a painter and decorator? That’s so cool!’ It’s very different to Jane’s experience as an apprentice – people are a lot more switched on now.”
What piece of advice would you give to young women looking to break into the industry?
Jane: “Embrace that sense of achievement. This is a truly great industry, with a variety of exciting opportunities, so take pride in what you’re doing. It’s our role to transform a blank space into something remarkable.”
Becky: “Never be afraid to ask questions. There’s no such thing as a daft question and, if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.”
Katie: “Just go for it! The Bagnalls apprenticeship is a great opportunity – it might or might not be your thing but until you try, you’ll never know. Absorb the different experiences, enter competitions, talk to new people – just get stuck in!”
What can employers do to make the painting and decorating sector more inclusive?
Jane: “We need to showcase opportunities to more young women and encourage teachers to highlight painting and decorating as a viable career path. Many young girls have never considered our industry, simply because they don’t realise it is an option for them. Early promotion is the key to changing that.”
Becky: “Just basic things, really. For example, workwear that fits our bodies properly. Employers should also be shouting about the fact that women are excelling and winning awards within our industry – like Jane and Katie. Promoting these stories at recruitment events and college visits shows the next generation of apprentices that anything is possible. It gives them something tangible to aspire to and aim for.”
Katie: “Employers should simply acknowledge that we are all the same. Women don’t want to be thought of as different – we’re all building the same skills, doing the same job, to the same high standard. We shouldn’t have to prove ourselves by doing twice as much work as the guys.”
What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far?
Jane: “There’s been quite a few! Starting as an apprentice and working my way up has been a big achievement for me. Being shortlisted for Mentor of The Year by The Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025. Also, winning Bronze at the WorldSkills UK Olympics against 14 men as the only female competitor – that stands out for me.”
Becky: “I had only been at Bagnalls for six weeks when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. I’m incredibly proud of helping the business through this difficult time in terms of safety. Also, being named amongst the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction 2024.”
Katie: “My competition wins! I was named Painting and Decorating Apprentice of the Year and Paperhanger of the Year in 2024. I’m also proud that I was able to travel to Slovenia with Bagnalls to help repaint a school and give back to the local community.”
