Celebrating Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day: We chat to Sarah Maguire, Fusion21’s Head of Social Value

In celebration of Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day on 8 March we caught up with Sarah Maguire, Head of Social Value at Fusion2 to tell us about her role and why she’s proud to support other women in construction.

 Tell us a bit about your role at Fusion21 and working within the construction industry

At Fusion21, I’m responsible for the strategic leadership of all social value across the business. I have over 20 years’ experience in partnership and work with my team to support Fusion21’s members, suppliers, and partners to secure the best possible social value outcomes for local communities. 

Social value brings communities together and embedding social value into contracts with developers is something I feel really passionate about. My team – led by two female social value managers, and I regularly visit construction sites, and I really embrace this element of my job.

We have the opportunity to engage with local authorities, developers, contractors, and also meet the individuals who benefit from the opportunities we create. This includes people completing apprenticeships and work experience, and those who are getting back into work.

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

I’m passionate about building communities, not just developments.

At Fusion21, we believe social value shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be at the heart of every planning application and development strategy. I'm committed to embedding social value early in planning, ensuring it creates real opportunities for people and lasting community benefits.

That’s why I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved at Fusion21. For over a decade, we’ve been working to embed social value into planning, ensuring that developments don’t just change places, they change lives. And the impact speaks for itself. In 2023-2024 alone, our work helped:

• 290 local people secure jobs through construction projects, with 57% maintaining full-time employment beyond a year.
• 22 apprentices start careers in vital trades like joinery, plumbing, and site supervision.
• £70,213 go directly to voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) making a difference on the ground.
• 50 volunteer hours dedicated to supporting VCSEs.

These numbers represent real people—individuals whose lives and futures have been shaped by developments that prioritise social value. That’s what drives me, and that’s why I’ll continue advocating for social value to be embedded at every stage of the planning process.

Why do you think more women should be encouraged to work in construction?

Encouraging more women into construction isn’t just about fairness—it’s about strengthening the industry. A more diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives, new ideas, and better problem-solving, all of which drive innovation and improve outcomes for businesses and communities alike.

For me, social value isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about creating lasting impact. Through planning and procurement, we have the power to shape communities, open up career opportunities, and ensure developments leave a meaningful legacy. As awareness grows and companies actively work to break down barriers, more women are starting to see construction as a rewarding and viable career path and I’m excited to be part of this.

Lastly, tell us what genre you enjoy reading and what's your favourite book? 

I love nothing more than reading a good book when I'm not running around after my two children!  I'd have to say my favourite to date is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. When I get chance I'd like to watch this on Netflix as it's been made into a drama. 

To learn more about how Fusion21’s social value through planning offer, click here.