It’s International Women’s Day! To celebrate, we spoke to a few inspiring women at Cairn who work in traditionally male-dominated fields. They shared their experiences, challenges, and advice for other women embarking on similar career paths.
Mathilde Macdonald, Property Investment Officer
“From a young age, I never felt that my gender limited my opportunities. My family, school, and society provided a supportive environment that encouraged me to pursue my interests freely.
It might be surprising, but during my work life, I have encountered more challenges from women than men in my field of work. Given the long history of women fighting for equality, I believe it’s crucial that we support and uplift each other instead of seeing one another as competitors.
Before joining Cairn, on my first day at a new job, an older male colleague told me my place was at the kitchen sink. Instead of letting this comment hurt me, I decided to take it as ‘banter’ and put him back in his place by making a cheeky remark myself. He laughed it off, and we went on to build a positive working relationship.
My advice to women entering male-dominated fields is to stay confident and challenge biases constructively—but don’t take things too personally. Pick your battles wisely and stand your ground when it matters.
Beth Strange, Repairs Administrator
“One of the biggest challenges women face in my field is overcoming societal preconceptions. The idea that repairs and maintenance are ‘male’ jobs is still deeply ingrained, even if it’s often subconscious.
Changing this perception isn’t something that can be achieved overnight—it’s a gradual process. The best thing we can do is to keep pushing forward, and over time, these outdated attitudes will shift.
My advice to women starting out is simple: don’t underestimate yourself. Most people know far more than they give themselves credit for. Trust in your abilities.
Meg Deasley, Director of Property Services
“One of the most effective ways to accelerate gender equality in the workplace is to rethink how we recruit. We need to focus on the essential skills and attitudes required for a role, value experience, and avoid getting hung up on qualifications or career gaps. This should be reflected in job descriptions, interview questions, and assessment criteria.
For women starting out in male-dominated fields, my advice is to refuse to be boxed in by others’ expectations. Follow your curiosity, ask questions, and pursue what interests you.
Carlan Connon, Compliance Manager
“My biggest challenge was stepping into a leadership role in a renewable energy company—an overwhelmingly male-dominated field. It wasn’t an area I was initially an expert in, so I had to learn quickly while also managing an all-male team of engineers, all while raising two young children.
One of my proudest moments was being invited to speak at the Social Housing Safety Network at Hampden Park. Standing in front of respected professionals and sharing my expertise in compliance was a surreal ‘pinch me’ moment.
My advice? There’s no single ‘right’ career path—everyone’s journey is unique. Be open to opportunities, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and actively seek out new learning experiences. Ignore the mansplaining that still persists and trust in your knowledge, skills, and experience.
Audrey Simpson, Chief Executive
“This week, I attended a conference where former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke about accelerating gender equality in the workplace. She emphasised that we all share a responsibility to create a culture free from both intentional and unintentional discrimination.
At Cairn, we can continue developing inclusive policies and approaches, but we must also engage with wider society and government to drive broader change.
The most inspirational woman in my life was my mum, whom I sadly lost to cancer last year. She was an incredible role model—hardworking, pragmatic, and endlessly supportive. While managing our home and caring for my brother and me, she also ran our family shop, all while my dad worked long hours as a self-employed electrician. I miss her every day and aspire to embody her resilience and determination.
My advice to women starting out? Stay curious. Gain experience in different areas of the business, seize opportunities to grow, ask questions, and seek out inspirational mentors in the sector. Learning from others can be incredibly powerful.
This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women in every field and continue pushing for a more inclusive future. Here’s to breaking barriers and supporting one another along the way!
