Millie Oddi is a Branch Manager at Travis Perkins. Millie’s journey in the industry started with two university qualifications, then a Management Apprenticeship at Travis Perkins, to becoming a Branch Manager in under a year.
After a family connection got her interested in the industry, Millie Oddi joined Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest builders merchant supplying building materials and hire service to trade customers, on a flexible contract during her university days. Her time working in the branch left a lasting impression; she loved the team and the customers, and it was a work environment she had never previously experienced.
After finishing university with a Master’s Degree in Social Policy, Millie returned to Travis Perkins hoping to work alongside job hunting, but her old manager saw her potential and offered her a place on their Management Apprenticeship programme. Millie saw it as a chance to return to work with a team she loved, as well as getting another qualification to her name.
She started at the St. Pancras Branch as the Branch Apprentice, where she was the only woman on the shop floor in a team of 25. As the Branch Apprentice, Millie moved around lots of different areas, gaining exposure to all the systems and processes of branch life, from sales to stock to transport.
This experience gave Millie the right experience and grounding to progress into a Branch Operations role, and within nine months she was offered a promotion to Branch Operations Manager at the Bethnal Green branch.
Millie’s journey started with two impressive university qualifications and has progressed through her apprenticeship with a move to Branch Manager in under a year. Due to gaining her Management qualification this year with the completion of her apprenticeship, Millie is showing what women in construction are capable of.
To everybody, especially women, who are unsure about the industry or who are looking to join Construction, Millie says: “Don’t knock the construction industry until you’ve given it a chance. It can seem intimidating at first, especially with its stereotypes. But there are loads of opportunities for women to make truly meaningful contributions. Our different perspectives, life experiences, and unique skills are exactly what this industry needs to evolve and thrive. As more women join as tradies, managers, and leaders, we’re not just breaking barriers but bringing fresh ideas and innovative approaches.”
