The recently promoted Operations Director of an award-winning Northamptonshire health and safety consultancy has shared her delight in her new role and the role of women in the construction industry.
Last month, Acorn Safety Services announced the appointment of a new director, promoting Operations Manager, Zeynep Guzelkasap, to the role of Operations Director.
Zeynep has been instrumental in shaping the future of the company since she joined the fold in January 2023 as Business Manager, bringing with her a construction management degree and 12 years of experience in construction, asbestos and health and safety. After just 12 months, she was promoted to Operations Manager.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has not been easy for Zeynep, who previously experienced discrimination at university and in the workplace.
She said: “When I was at university, I was the only female on my course, but it didn’t really bother me. It’s very male-dominated industry and sometimes that’s difficult to navigate as a female.
“Being a woman in construction and health and safety, there are many times I could have given up and switched career paths, but I am passionate about what I do and am so thankful to have found Acorn Safety Services, a company that believes in me and supports women and mothers and encourages them to reach their full potential.”
Since 2023, Acorn Safety Services has doubled its team, outgrown two offices, and won contracts with major brands and retailers. The growing company has also been recognised for its use of AI and other innovations with awards and, in May, won the Silver Award for High Growth at the Northamptonshire SME Business Awards.
Zeynep herself was also recognised at the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence (SHE) Awards, making it to a finalist in the Woman of the Year category – a category created to acknowledge a woman who has made an impact in the health and safety sector.
She said: “I’m really proud of all we have achieved in the last two years and the growth we’ve experienced. We are now working with some big brand businesses across a wide variety of sectors, helping them to remain compliant with regards to legionella, fire, and health and safety.
“I’ve always wanted to be a director, so it’s really nice that it’s actually happened. It’s that next step up for me and comes at a really momentous time for the company, just as we start a new chapter in a larger office.”
The appointment comes just as Acorn Safety Services is moving offices again to create some much-needed space for its growing team, which now stands at 14 people.
The new building – which is twice the size of the company’s last office – is still situated on Northampton’s Moulton Park Industrial Estate.
Zeynep has ambitious plans to continue the company expansion to meet customer demand.
“I just want to grow the company further,” she said. “We’re quite small right now and I’d love to help Acorn Safety Services in its growth and progression. I would also love to see more women in the industry.
“Women are just as s capable of doing the same things as a man and they get stuff done! At Acorn Safety, we have just appointed a new female operations coordinator and we have a diverse team, which is exactly how it should be.”
Fellow Director, Neil Munro, added: “Zeynep has really earned this directorship.
“Through sheer hard work and drive, Zeynep has helped us to scale up our operations, expand our team, develop innovative solutions to help customers to stay compliant, and win awards and contracts. We look forward to seeing where we can take Acorn Safety Services with Zeynep on the board of directors.”
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