To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, which took place on 8 March, BE News is running a series of interviews with inspirational women who work across the built environment sector
Name: Katrina Davis
Job title: Director of communications and culture at Civic
What I do: Alongside my team I develop and deliver all internal and external communications for Civic to help manage our reputation – from online activity through to event management, creation of thought leadership and coordinating our presence at big events, such as MIPIM and UKREiiF.
Why I got into the property industry: I ended up working in the built environment by chance. To be honest, I did not know much at that time about how the industry operated, its size and the scale of its impact.
How I did it: At the time, I was freelance working with a number of SMEs across different industries, providing communications support and media training. A contact of mine approached me and told me about an engineering company that was looking for some support with its marketing. So, nearly 10 years ago, I started working two days a week for what was then called Civic Engineers, helping it develop and grow its communications. Over time I increased my number of days and the remit expanded more and more. In 2022, I became an employee at Civic as its director of communications and culture.
My first proper job: I worked as a researcher for a small television production company.
My first big break: I was seconded to a client who needed someone to come in and run their communications department, which included running a full press office. They happened to be a successful football club and during the 18 months I was with them, they were promoted to the Premiership. It was an incredible opportunity and taught me so much about reputation management, how to deal with a crisis, tabloid journalists, and gave me a unique insight into the business of football.
My inspiration(s): When I worked at the Fire & Rescue Service, the chief fire officer at the time who I reported to was a real inspiration. He was a brilliant leader through some incredibly tough times after the national firefighters’ strikes. He cared deeply about the service, had amazing people skills, knew everyone’s name and had time for everybody at every level.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: One of the biggest challenges has been the need to raise the profile of the important role communications can play in the built environment and the impact it can have when delivered effectively. Across the industry, companies are at such different stages in terms of whether or not they have in-house teams and how senior those representatives are. The number of communications professionals in the industry is definitely growing but building an understanding of its importance, and the difference it can make if a communications professional sits either at board or senior leadership level, is something I am keen to champion. I have been very lucky that the Civic board recognises its importance.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Whilst head of communications for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, in partnership with the Manchester Evening News, we ran a campaign to highlight the issue of attacks on emergency service workers and call for a change in the law to protect them. The campaign ran over a number of months and, by working closely with the media to show how critical the situation was, we managed to get the Emergency Services (Obstruction) Act introduced.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I think there is still a misconception that it is all about agents and money and there is little care for communities. There are a vast variety of roles and different types of companies across the built environment, and I do not think many people outside of it have any idea about just how many differing roles make up a design team. There are also a huge number of people who care deeply about the communities they are helping to transform and are working really hard to make a positive impact and leave a positive legacy for people, place and planet.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: There is still a real lack of diversity across the industry. We desperately need more women and people from different backgrounds joining the industry. Organisations such as Regeneration Brainery are working hard to open up different routes into the industry and make it more accessible to young people from a wider variety of backgrounds.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: At Civic, we work really hard to create a culture where people can be themselves and diversity is celebrated and recognised. In particular, there are still very few women in senior board positions across the built environment, and this is something we need to work hard to change. I have been lucky that the places I have worked recognise that celebrating difference and providing an environment that offers flexibility, listens to different outlooks, opinions and challenges is crucial.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: As Civic grows and expands its range of services, I would love to see not only the company have an even greater impact across the communities it works with, but I would also love to see my team grow and have an even bigger impact.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Brené Brown and, after seeing the Brit awards recently, Harry Styles.
What I do in my downtime: I enjoy going to the gym, music, cooking and spending time with my family and friends.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I would love to be an osteopath.
My advice for someone just starting out: There are no silly questions. Be curious, ask questions as if you do not ask, you never know.
My motto/mantra: JFDI (Just f****** do it).
