Patsy Supple has been appointed the new Chairperson of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Cork branch. Outgoing Chairperson Cian O’Mahony of Cumnor Building and Civil Engineering Contractors passed the chain at the organisation’s AGM held in Little Island. Patsy Supple is a Director at Mavro Property Ltd, with 35 years’ experience in the building and property sector.

Speaking at her first engagement since being appointed and addressing almost 300 guests, Patsy Supple said that construction in Ireland is facing many challenges as delivery of projects, particularly in housing, needs to be scaled up to meet the country’s needs.

“I would ask everyone in this room – whether you are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or mentors – to encourage the young people in your lives to consider careers in this sector. I would particularly encourage you to inspire young women to join our industry. They remain one of our greatest untapped resources. If we ever think construction might not be a suitable career for women, then perhaps it is time for all of us to ask what changes we need to make to ensure that it is.”