Not everyone wants to talk about women in construction, but maybe we should.

Especially when someone like Kim Allen joins the conversation, a plasterer-turned-CEO who’s shaking things up, speaking out, and refusing to be boxed in. We recently had Kim on The Good Builder podcast with Aaron and Renae (episode dropping soon), and it was one of the most honest chats we’ve had.

What stood out? Kim didn’t grow up dreaming of running a plastering company, but once she found herself in the middle of one, with a toddler on her hip and a second bub on the way, she decided to do it her way.

So, what’s her story?

Kim was never “just” the admin, but she admits she acted like it at the start. She ran the emails, managed the quotes, and even replied to clients as her husband, Chris, all behind the scenes.

“I was the missus,” Kim said.

“In the background, answering emails as his name… Someone messaged me on Instagram, and all of a sudden, it was from Chris, ‘Yeah mate!’”

At some point, she realised that wasn’t enough. Not for her. Not for her team. Not for the business.

“I started going, ‘The kids are in daycare now. I want more from this. I want to make it, not just me being the admin lady. I need self worth, too.’”

So she stepped up.

Took charge.

Stopped asking for a seat and just pulled up her own chair.

Fast forward to today, and she’s the CEO of CRA, a bloody good plastering company in Brisbane known for quality, integrity, and team culture.

Why it matters

Kim’s not trying to be “the voice of all women.” She’s just telling it like it is, and for a lot of blokes in the industry, it’s worth listening.

Here’s why:

• She’s built a business where full-time trades are treated like family, not just contractors ticking boxes.
• She calls out bad behaviour on site, even from her own crew, and deals with it head-on.
• She makes time to speak in schools, mentor apprentices, and create space for other women to follow.
• She still has to explain why her apprentice drives to a servo to pee. Because the site toilet is, in her words, “a brothel.”

“I’ve got a female apprentice. We had this conversation last week. She came up to me very quietly and said, ‘Kim, this is the situation.The site toilet is a brothel, and I have to go to the local servo.’ And I said, ‘You do that. But you also tell our project coordinator that he needs to notify the builder to replace that toilet.’ Because they won’t, unless they’re told. Why would they spend the money if they’re not told? That’s reality. The builder won’t replace the skip bin if they’re not told. The same goes for the site toilet.”

Kim’s not just talking the talk.

Just yesterday, she announced that she was awarded Silver in the Women Changing the World Awards for Company Changing the World of the Year, a global nod to businesses making real change for women and girls.

“You may remember me sharing that I was a finalist for the Women Changing the World Awards… Well, I won!! The committee awarded me Silver for Company Changing the World of the Year.”

“This award recognises exceptional companies changing the world for women and girls. I’m beyond proud to be recognised! Here’s to a bright future for women and girls around the world.”

She’s also on the committee of the Wall and Ceiling Lining Association, one of the first women to join, and she’s regularly speaking at events alongside important industry thought leaders trying to raise the bar in our industry.

What really stands out for us

Kim’s not asking you to roll out a pink carpet. She’s just saying that respect matters. Language matters, and so does listening.

It starts small:

• Don’t call your partner “the missus” on site, especially if she’s the boss.
• Ask your team, women or men, how they’re really doing.
• Speak up if something feels off. Then back people when they do the same.

“We’re not here to make a huge change. We just want balance,” Kim told us.

“The men need to listen… and the women? We just want to be able to say, ‘This is my opinion,’ and have it be respected.”

If there’s one thing Kim makes clear, it’s this: leadership isn’t about being loud. It’s about owning your space and giving others the room to do the same.

Look out for the podcast interview with Kim dropping soon.

Author: Aaron Ng

Aaron has worked for some of the nation’s largest developers and home builders in the marketing arena, before founding one of QLD’s largest construction focused marketing agencies. He is passionate about all elements of marketing and customer experience across the industry.