Winner of Women in Construction Award

Influence’s Managing Director, Sara Boland, has won Construction Woman of the Year at the 2021 Women in Business Awards

Sara is the skilled, ambitious, inclusive and environmentally conscious business owner of Influence Landscape Planning and Design, a chartered landscape architecture practice. A leader in her field, she is passionate and proactive about having a diverse workforce and supporting young people into the construction sector.

Sara invests her time in encouraging more women into the industry and currently has a 90 per cent female workforce. She has created an ever-expanding portfolio of respected clients, including Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and a nine-year relationship with Sea Change Sussex, and is continually chosen as the landscape partner on high-profile schemes across the country.

Following her win, Sara said, ‘It’s so important for our profession, as landscape designers and planners, to be recognised within the wider construction industry and to show that it is a diverse working environment. As said by others, no man is an island and this award reflects the passion and hard work of the team at Influence who have delivered amazing projects, particularly in challenging circumstances. It is also thanks to my colleagues outside Influence who have supported us and trusted us with their clients and projects.

‘It’s a privilege to be in this group of women – all the finalist have demonstrated why they are leading lights in their field.’