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This week, our industry is celebrating Women in Construction Week, organised by The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
This year the theme is ‘Level Up, Build Strong’ which is something we champion here at Acorn Safety Services, where almost one third of our workforce is made up of strong, skilled women, led by a powerhouse female operations duo.
With this week culminating in International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8th March, we thought we’d shine a spotlight on the incredibly talented women in our ranks.
Zeynep Guzelkasap – Operations Director
First up is our leader, Zeynep, who has been integral in shaping the future of Acorn Safety Services since she joined the business and has an exceptional drive to succeed.
Before Acorn Safety Services, Zeynep had to claw her way up in a male dominated industry. She studied Building Studies at college and then a Construction Management BSc Honours degree at university – both times being the only female on her course.
Zeynep suffered discrimination at the hands of her university lecturer, who actively tried to discourage her from continuing her degree. Getting to where she as in current Operations Director role at Acorn demonstrates her resilience and determination.
When Zeynep joined Acorn Safety Services it was managed by three male directors. From the get-go she was clear to the trio that she wanted a director role in the firm. In June 2025 she was given the title of Operations Director, achieving her dream, despite facing adversity and discrimination in previous roles. This highlights Zeynep’s inspirational ambition and drive.
Rather than being deterred by the challenges of being a working mother in a male-dominated industry, she has consistently sought out opportunities to grow and excel.
She now champions other women in the sector, going on to employ other skilled and experienced women in her own, successful team.
Samantha Reeves – Operations Manager
Samantha Reeves was appointed as Operations Coordinator last year and made such a huge impact on our company, that she has already joined the leadership team.
Samantha runs the day-to-day operations and the scheduling of work at our Moulton Park base. She enjoys the fast paced environment and the team culture. She said: “It’s a company that genuinely cares about their employees. There is also a lot of powerhouse women within the company, which is inspiring within a very male dominated industry.
“I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of a group that is not only skilled and dedicated but also shares the same visions and objectives. The camaraderie that exists within our team truly makes it feel like we are working with a group of friends.”
Abbie Bruce – Sales Administrator
Abbie Bruce joined Acorn Safety as a Sales Administrator in March 2024. Her role is all about supporting the team, keeping things organised, and ensuring smooth operations. She works hard to ensure everything runs efficiently, from processing orders to maintaining accurate records, all while keeping our clients’ needs in focus.
Abbie is self-confessed obsessed with continuous learning of all things health and safety and is always up for a challenge. She said: “I’m passionate about being part of a team that values safety and customer satisfaction. I collaborate with colleagues across departments to help create solutions that meet our clients’ needs, always aiming to deliver the best results. I’m also committed to learning and growing in the industry, staying up-to-date on trends to keep things fresh and efficient.”
Lorna Smith – Fire Safety Manager
Lorna Smith has been part of the Acorn Safety team since last summer. She previously worked as a Health and Safety consultant for a large insurance company, and is getting great satisfaction from her new role, having been promoted from senior fire risk assessor to fire safety manager in less than a year.
Lorna said: “I’m enjoying the wide variety of clients that we have and the diverse types of building that we are fire risk assessing. So far these have included a renovated 17th century glass factory which is now a residential facility, care facilities for brain injured patients and a fast-food outlet in an airport.”
Purity T Muposhi
Purity is our Fire, Health and Safety Consultant, conducting comprehensive fire risk assessments, compartmentation surveys, and health and safety audits across a range of premises.
Prior to joining Acorn, Purity worked as a Fire Risk Assessor specialising in social housing, particularly Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This role gave her strong experience in residential fire safety and regulatory compliance.
She has also worked as a Health and Safety Advisor for a roofing company, and for major global events, including Gastech 2025 and Breakbulk Europe 2025.
Purity enjoys the variety and continuous challenge her role brings. She said: “The position constantly exposes me to new scenarios, which requires me to stay up to date with current fire safety and health and safety legislation and best practices.” For more information about the Acorn Safety Services team visit https://acornhealthandsafety.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/
