Name: Darcie Lattin
Job title: Social value manager, Watson
What I do: I work in social value, which is all about creating a lasting positive impact in local communities. My role is about bringing people, businesses and organisations together to create opportunities, whether that’s through employment, skills, education, community projects, or supporting local charities and initiatives. For me, it’s about making sure construction leaves a legacy that goes beyond our developments and creates a real difference for the people who live and work there.
Why I got into the construction industry: I actually fell into construction rather than following ambition for a particular industry. What started as a chance encounter opened the door and I quickly realised there was so much more to it than just trades and mud.
How I did it: I knew university wasn’t the path I wanted to take. Rather than taking on student debt, I wanted to start earning money and get the right experience to build my career. When I was 16, I went to a careers event, where I had some great conversations with different employers across industries. That’s where I met my first boss, who invited me for an interview and just two weeks after finishing my final GCSE exam, I started my first job.
My first proper job: My first ‘proper’ job was as a receptionist for an engineering company. One of the best parts was spending time with different teams across the business which gave me a great understanding of what everyone did and how this contributed to the wider business. They were really supportive in helping me find the right path, explore roles and even helped me learn to drive!
My first big break: The MD at my first job gave me the opportunity to explore being a civil engineer. The company sent me to Bolton College where I did my ONC. I was doing everything from site surveys to designing soakaways. I realised I wasn’t enjoying all the maths and wanted something more creative and people based. Even though this career path wasn’t the one, I’m forever grateful to the business who supported me in finding the right role and provided a wealth of knowledge to make this happen.
My inspiration(s): I’ve never had one single inspiration. Instead, I’m inspired by the people I’ve met throughout my personal life and career who have been generous with their time, knowledge and encouragement. Looking back, every opportunity I’ve had came because someone believed in me first. That’s something I try to carry forward by supporting others and helping them realise what they’re capable of.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: The biggest challenge I’ve faced was having to put my career on hold twice. I broke my back in 2017 and in 2021 I had a brain haemorrhage. It wasn’t easy, but it made me more resilient and taught me not to take opportunities for granted. It also gave me the time to think about what really matters to me and how I can use my experiences to support others who have faced challenges out of their control.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Looking back, I’m proudest of building a career that’s centred around creating opportunities for others. From starting work straight after my GCSEs to finding my place in social value, every step has helped me connect people with opportunities that can genuinely change lives. Having to overcome both a broken back and a brain haemorrhage also changed my perspective. Returning to my career after both experiences made me more resilient and reinforced why I love what I do. Knowing I’ve helped people access employment, education, training and community opportunities, despite those setbacks, is something I’m incredibly proud of.
The biggest misconception people have about the construction industry: After speaking with many schools, students and NEETS one of the biggest misconceptions of women in construction is that there aren’t many roles for us. In reality, the industry offers so many different career paths. From trades and engineering to project management, commercial, design, health and safety, marketing and social value. Construction isn’t one job; it’s hundreds of different opportunities. The challenge isn’t a lack of opportunities; it’s a lack of knowledge. And making sure more women know those opportunities exist and feel confident pursuing them.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: One thing I’d love to see change in the industry is the way we view each other as competitors. While healthy competition has its place, I believe there are so many opportunities for builders and developers to work together to maximise the social value we create in communities. By collaborating and supporting common goals, we can make a far greater impact than we could by working independently.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: I’m passionate about DE&I because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive regardless of their background or circumstances. Social value and inclusion go hand in hand. When we create opportunities that are accessible to everyone, we build stronger teams, stronger communities and better outcomes. For me, it’s about making sure everyone feels seen, valued, has equal opportunities and the chance to succeed.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: In five years’ time, I’d like to have grown our social value team and the impact we have. I’d love to see us reaching more people, creating more opportunities and working with even more communities. As we grow, I’d like to continue developing professionally, taking on greater responsibility and helping shape the direction of the department. For me, the most rewarding part of my career is seeing the difference we can make, so being able to amplify that impact would be a fantastic achievement.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: I’d invite Sheryl Sandberg, Greg Davies, and from the world of fiction, Ted Lasso. Sheryl’s work around leadership, equality, and creating opportunities for women has influenced conversations around ambition and progression in the workplace across major companies. Greg Davies would bring plenty of humour and personality, and brilliant storytelling. I’d love to hear the stories behind his career and talk all things Taskmaster. Ted Lasso would bring a completely different energy, the eternal optimist with a pep-talk for anything and everything. Together, I think they’d create a brilliant mix of fascinating stories and humour, I just hope they wouldn’t expect me to cook! Plus, there’s always an emergency chair for anyone who can add more humour, energy and love.
What I do in my downtime: In my downtime, you’ll usually find me with my nose in a good book, exploring as many museums as I can, or trying something new. Most recently, I’ve joined a rowing club, which has been a great way to spend a sunny evening.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: Honestly, if I wasn’t working in construction, I’d probably be running an antiques store or a little bookshop full of character and really good cake. Somewhere people can slow down and explore something new while getting to know others. Although, this won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me!
My advice for someone just starting out: Listen, listen, listen, then watch. Take every opportunity to learn and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you know how you learn best tell people, the more they understand how you process information, the better they can support and approach teaching. Remember, every person you meet knows something you don’t, and one day you’ll be helping someone take their first steps too.
My motto/mantra: There’s always time for a biscuit.
