A female Barratt Homes marketing manager, Megan Hamlyn, has inspired Hampshire girls at an event in the run up to International Women's Day.

Based in Hedge End in Southampton, she spoke at a Saints Foundation IWD event aimed at promoting aspirational careers to young girls.

Ms Hamlyn, 30, has been a part of the company's team since 2017, making 'great strides' in her career within the 'male-dominated' housing industry.

Ms Hamlyn, alongside Gemma Osgood from law firm Hugh James, and Saints Foundation's partnerships executive, Olivia Ashcroft, shared their professional stories with eager young audience members.

Focusing on her job with the Hampshire developers, Ms Hamlyn spoke about overcoming obstacles within the construction sector and what company's like Barratt are doing to encourage more women into the sector.

She said: “At Barratt we are keen on inspiring young people from the region to join the building industry and events like this are the perfect opportunity. It’s been great to come along and share my thoughts today, and I hope it will help these girls feel confident in pursuing their choice of career in the future.”

Olivia Ashcroft, partnerships executive at Saints Foundation, said: "This was a fantastic morning that showed our young women that, through hard work and determination, they can be anything they want to be.

"Really proud to be a part of this event ahead of International Women's Day along with Megan and Gemma. Thanks go to them both for agreeing to come along and for sharing their inspirational stories."

International Women’s Day 2024 is to be commemorated worldwide on Friday, March 8. This year, the campaign is themed 'inspire inclusion'.

Saints Foundation's event aimed to inspire girls who are part of the charity's Changemakers scheme.

The Changemakers project 'empowers, inspires, and develops leadership potential' in girls aged 11-16, aiming to open up pathways and boost ambition.

Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club, providing 'life-changing opportunities' to help both the city and the communities within it to thrive.