Laura, who holds a first-class BA Honours degree in Business Management from the University of West of Scotland and a Leadership qualification from Cranfield School of Management, is the business development manager for Kier Construction in Scotland.

She was awarded the Court Medal for her academic achievements. Laura has been a member of Women in Property (WiP) for over six years and has actively served on the committee for more than five years, focusing on partnerships, schools outreach, and networking.

In addition to her role in WiP, Laura has played a key role in shaping the strategy around Building Better Careers for All (BBCFA), a Kier Construction skills and talent initiative. She continues to collaborate with Construction colleagues to develop a framework addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on four main areas: attracting young people to the industry, developing and nurturing talent, retaining talent, and promoting the progress Kier Construction and the industry are making towards equality.

Laura has more than nine years of experience in the construction industry, having worked with smaller contractors and in roles related to frameworks and pre-construction. She has been with Kier for seven years.

“WiP’s ethos is all about prioritising and empowering people as we seek to improve gender parity in the industry, while working towards a more inclusive and understanding society, Laura said. “Our branch in Scotland has grown significantly over the past few years, with a dedicated committee of professional and driven volunteers successfully hosting over 66 events last year, focusing on CPD, site visits, schools outreach, mentoring, and networking.

“The Central Scotland branch supports three event hubs: Northern, Highlands and Islands, and Belfast, where we share knowledge and best practice to support our members across the country. We are extremely proud of the opportunities and support we offer, especially through our prestigious National Student Awards Programme.

“This year, in Central Scotland alone, we had 15 talented candidates nominated from their local universities. We aim to work with the next generation to help these professional women find fulfilling placements and graduate roles, encouraging more diversity in the built environment.

“I feel privileged to embark on this journey as chair, to support, grow, and develop our team. I aim to empower our members and community, and I am truly honoured to be appointed to this prestigious role.

My focus this year is on creating a safe environment for personal growth, with an emphasis on removing the stigma around mental health and collaborating with charities to raise awareness. Our National chair’s theme this year, ‘People and Community First,’ closely aligns with my own values, emphasising social mobility and breaking down barriers to entry in the industry. We plan to reflect this in our events, partnerships, and messaging over the next year or so.”

Women in Property is also welcoming its new Branch vice chair, Danielle Miller from BE-ST, who will be supporting Laura McGuigan in the coming year before taking on the Branch chair role in March 2026.