Building Inclusion, Together
We believe construction should be accessible to everyone.
From adaptive PPE to inclusive site design, we're breaking barriers and creating opportunities.
Our Mission and Story
At Construct Ability, we know that life can bring unexpected challenges. That’s why we support not only those entering the construction industry but also those who face new barriers due to disabilities acquired during their careers.
Through tailored programmes, advocacy, and employer partnerships, we aim to create an industry where ability is redefined by determination, resilience, and support.
Who We Are
Construct Ability is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to access and sustain meaningful careers in construction, utilities, rail, and beyond. We’re here for those beginning their career journeys, as well as for professionals navigating life-changing circumstances.
By helping individuals adjust to disabilities or find suitable workplace accommodations, we ensure that talent is retained, barriers are broken, and diversity thrives in every sector we touch.
Our Team and Trustees
Behind Construct Ability is a dedicated team of trustees, industry professionals, and volunteers who share a vision of inclusivity.
Each of our trustees brings unique expertise to support our initiatives, ensuring we continue to challenge norms and drive meaningful change in the industry.
Meet Meg Ginsberg
Founder
Meg Ginsberg is the driving force behind Construct Ability. A passionate advocate for inclusion, Meg's personal and professional journey has shaped the charity’s mission.
From overcoming the challenges of navigating a wheelchair in a fast-paced industry to leading large-scale projects as an Assistant Project Manager, Meg’s commitment to inclusivity inspires everything we do.
Alistair Crisp
Trustee
Alistair is a specialist in accessibility and disability inclusion within Walking, Wheeling and Cycling schemes. He manages the Sustrans National Cycle Network across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and sits on the WMCA Journeys for Everyone Mayoral Taskforce.
Alistair's recent work includes pan-disability access audits of urban streets across the WMCA. Alistair also works on rural focused access guidance for disabled people accessing green and blue space, as well as setting exemplar access standards for rural towpaths.
Alistair's access work is underpinned by his professional background as a teacher, with five years experience in pastoral education and safeguarding.
Residing in Quinton, Birmingham, with his wife Evie and daughter Cara, Alistair enjoys getting out and about on his tricycle, and is an avid gardener, as well as being active through St John's Church, Harborne.
Alistair's commitment to accessibility is influenced by his personal experience with Dyspraxia.
Katy Deacon
Advisor
Katy began her career as an apprentice with British Airways. After 9/11, Katy reapplied her skills and knowledge to focus on electrical design in buildings. This developed through her master's degree into a focus on renewable energy and low carbon buildings which led her to achieve her chartership in 2008.
Katy has achieved many awards throughout her career, including the IIE Mary George Memorial prize, IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award, the NICEIC Energy Efficiency Product of the Year and the WES Karen Burt Memorial Award.
In 2012 Katy received a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and became a wheelchair user. This did not stop her pursuing her goals, and she built a dedicated, successful team in data governance and cyber security over 10 years. During this time, Katy developed a strong strategic, change making skills. This has made her resilient and tenacious in her approach to achieving positive outcomes.
Since 2022 and a full-time wheelchair user for 10 years, Katy is now focused on improving the accessibility of the built environment. She is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and runs her own business, Towards Belonging Ltd, helping bridge the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry.
Katy is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at the University of Huddersfield and Aston University specialising in Inclusive Engineering. She has been the IET Trustee EDI champion since 2021, working with members of Council to create the EDI Board. Katy is now a Vice President of the IET and chairs the EDI Board.
Rich Rogers
Advisor
Rich Rogers is a passionate and innovative leader with 30 years of experience in the water sector. He holds a senior management position with direct responsibility for health, safety, security, and well-being. Highly motivated, Rich is deeply committed to helping people achieve their ambitions while simultaneously improving safety and well-being standards.
Although his career has been primarily within the water sector, Rich has undertaken short- and long-term assignments in Australia, South America, Asia, and Europe. These opportunities have exposed him to a variety of cultures, shaping his strong focus on inclusivity and diversity.
As a Chartered Environmentalist and Safety professional with a solid operational foundation, Rich is adept at influencing all levels of an organisation, from the front line to the boardroom.
He has led sector-wide groups across the UK, driving collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective improvement in health, safety, and well-being within the water sector. His impressive track record includes fostering collaboration with regulators such as HSE, EA, and DWI; trade bodies like WaterUK, UKWIR, and WRc; and trade union partners, including Unison, GMB, and Unite.
Rich is proud to support Construct Ability, leveraging his extensive network to enhance engagement, provide specialist advice, and address health and safety-related aspects. His contributions reflect a commitment to fostering positive change and promoting collective advancement in his field.
Elena Brake
Trustee
Elena Brake is a driven and passionate trainee engineer currently working with Fishtek Ltd while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Plymouth. Residing in Plymouth, Elena balances her academic pursuits with hands-on experience, showcasing her commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.
As a wheelchair user, Elena brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work, advocating for accessibility within the engineering and construction industries. She is deeply passionate about raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the importance of integrating accessibility into design and construction practices.
Elena believes that while strides have been made in addressing accessibility issues, much work remains to be done to create truly inclusive environments. She is dedicated to being a proactive voice in the conversation, championing inclusivity and highlighting examples of good practice that demonstrate how construction can be accessible to all.
Through her academic achievements, professional contributions, and advocacy, Elena aims to inspire change, foster dialogue, and celebrate innovations that empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in engineering and construction fields. She aspires to be a catalyst for positive change, ensuring accessibility becomes a standard consideration in the industry.
Nichola Sampford
Trustee
Nichola has over six years of experience in governance, starting in the education sector as an Administrative Officer for Hampshire Governor Services before becoming Clerk to the Governors and Trustees at Purbrook Park School.
Since 2022, Nichola has served as Governance Manager at MOSL (Market Operator Services Ltd), where she leads on governance for the Market Performance Framework Reform Project and acts as Secretary to the Market Performance Committee.
Beyond her professional role, Nichola is deeply committed to community leadership, serving as a School Governor for the Crofton Anne Dale Federation Schools and as Church Warden for Crofton Parish, which also makes her a Trustee of the Crofton Welfare Trust. Holding a Level 4 qualification in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, she brings expertise in fostering accessible and fair governance structures.
As a physically disabled professional, Nichola is passionate about ensuring disabled individuals have meaningful access to society, workplaces, and industries. Drawing from her early career in facilities management, she understands the challenges of making the construction sector truly accessible.
Nichola believes that real change comes from sharing lived experiences and expertise, ensuring that both visible and hidden disabilities are recognised and accommodated across all sectors.
Anthony Clewes
Trustee
Antony is a Senior Civil Engineer at Arup, working in their Energy, Water, and Resources team. A Fellow of CIHT, FIHE, and FRSA, and a Member of ICE (IEng), he is deeply committed to shaping a more inclusive built environment.
Beyond his role at Arup, Antony is Chair of the CIHT West Midlands Emerging Professionals Committee, a CIHT Council member, and serves on their Board of Trustees. He is a CIHT Technical Champion for Inclusive Design, sits on the EDI Panel, and advocates for accessibility as a STEM Ambassador and UK Delegate with PIARC.
Antony holds a BEng (Hons) from the University of Wolverhampton and an MSt in Interdisciplinary Design from Cambridge. Now returning to Wolverhampton for his PhD, he continues to drive industry progress.
His passion for Construct Ability stems from personal experience—having been told early in his career that his visual impairment would prevent him from succeeding in the industry. While inclusivity has improved, he believes more must be done to increase disabled representation and ensure the sector truly welcomes everyone.
Bailey Smith
Trustee
Nichola has over six years of experience in governance, starting in the education sector as an Administrative Officer for Hampshire Governor Services before becoming Clerk to the Governors and Trustees at Purbrook Park School.
Since 2022, Nichola has served as Governance Manager at MOSL (Market Operator Services Ltd), where she leads on governance for the Market Performance Framework Reform Project and acts as Secretary to the Market Performance Committee.
Beyond her professional role, Nichola is deeply committed to community leadership, serving as a School Governor for the Crofton Anne Dale Federation Schools and as Church Warden for Crofton Parish, which also makes her a Trustee of the Crofton Welfare Trust. Holding a Level 4 qualification in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, she brings expertise in fostering accessible and fair governance structures.
As a physically disabled professional, Nichola is passionate about ensuring disabled individuals have meaningful access to society, workplaces, and industries. Drawing from her early career in facilities management, she understands the challenges of making the construction sector truly accessible.
Nichola believes that real change comes from sharing lived experiences and expertise, ensuring that both visible and hidden disabilities are recognised and accommodated across all sectors.
Volunteers
We are immensely grateful for our dedicated volunteers, whose professionalism, impact, and credibility are the backbone of Construct Ability.
Their commitment and selfless contributions empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in the construction industry, embodying the true spirit of our mission.
Alex Buley
Alex is a Chartered Civil Engineer with extensive experience in the infrastructure sector, dedicated to using engineering as a force for lasting societal change. Passionate about embedding social value and inclusive design into every project, Alex believes that infrastructure should serve everyone, regardless of ability, background, or neurodiversity.
As a neurodivergent professional with ADHD, Alex is a vocal advocate for ensuring that neurodivergent voices are heard in both engineering and society. He actively promotes workplace accessibility, inclusive policies, and equitable design solutions, pushing the industry to better accommodate individuals with atypical brain chemistry.
Through his work, Alex is driving transformational change in the Civil Engineering sector, ensuring that inclusivity is not an afterthought but a fundamental principle in design. He is committed to educating engineers and infrastructure professionals on how to integrate equitable, accessible, and forward-thinking design into the built environment, making spaces that work for everyone.
Gobi Ranganathan
Gobi is a Principal Engineer at Norman Rourke Pryme, bringing over 17 years of experience in the traffic and transportation industries. A graduate with honours in Computer-Aided Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire, he began his career as a CAD technician, progressing to a Highways Engineer.
His extensive expertise encompasses highways, infrastructure, and public realm projects, gained from roles on both consultancy and client sides.
Beyond engineering, Gobi has achieved significant success in para-sports. He has represented England internationally in para-swimming and para-badminton, securing a European Championship gold and a World Championship silver in the latter. His athletic career, spanning over 15 years, includes serving as an Olympic Torchbearer during the London 2012 Games.
Gobi's international sporting experiences have furthered his professional endeavours, leading to roles such as representing Passengers with Reduced Mobility on the Stansted Airport Consultative Committee and serving as a Non-Executive Director with the Rail Ombudsman. He also contributes as an Executive Board Member at Herts Sports Partnership and as a trustee of the Anders Disability Badminton Charity (ADBC).
Gobi's unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience with accessibility issues provides valuable insights into real-world challenges. His commitment to inspiring and supporting others, particularly within the disability community, aligns with Construct Ability's mission to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the construction industry.
Our Team and Trustees
Behind Construct Ability is a dedicated team of trustees, industry professionals, and volunteers who share a vision of inclusivity.
Each of our trustees brings unique expertise to support our initiatives, ensuring we continue to challenge norms and drive meaningful change in the industry.
Volunteers
We are immensely grateful for our dedicated volunteers, whose professionalism, impact, and credibility are the backbone of Construct Ability.
Their commitment and selfless contributions empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in the construction industry, embodying the true spirit of our mission.
Gobi Ranganathan
Volunteer
Gobi is a Principal Engineer at Norman Rourke Pryme, bringing over 17 years of experience in the traffic and transportation industries. A graduate with honours in Computer-Aided Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire, he began his career as a CAD technician, progressing to a Highways Engineer.
His extensive expertise encompasses highways, infrastructure, and public realm projects, gained from roles on both consultancy and client sides.
Beyond engineering, Gobi has achieved significant success in para-sports. He has represented England internationally in para-swimming and para-badminton, securing a European Championship gold and a World Championship silver in the latter. His athletic career, spanning over 15 years, includes serving as an Olympic Torchbearer during the London 2012 Games.
Gobi's international sporting experiences have furthered his professional endeavours, leading to roles such as representing Passengers with Reduced Mobility on the Stansted Airport Consultative Committee and serving as a Non-Executive Director with the Rail Ombudsman. He also contributes as an Executive Board Member at Herts Sports Partnership and as a trustee of the Anders Disability Badminton Charity (ADBC).
Gobi's unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience with accessibility issues provides valuable insights into real-world challenges. His commitment to inspiring and supporting others, particularly within the disability community, aligns with Construct Ability's mission to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the construction industry.
Alex Buley
Volunteer
Alex is a Chartered Civil Engineer with extensive experience in the infrastructure sector, dedicated to using engineering as a force for lasting societal change. Passionate about embedding social value and inclusive design into every project, Alex believes that infrastructure should serve everyone, regardless of ability, background, or neurodiversity.
As a neurodivergent professional with ADHD, Alex is a vocal advocate for ensuring that neurodivergent voices are heard in both engineering and society. He actively promotes workplace accessibility, inclusive policies, and equitable design solutions, pushing the industry to better accommodate individuals with atypical brain chemistry.
Through his work, Alex is driving transformational change in the Civil Engineering sector, ensuring that inclusivity is not an afterthought but a fundamental principle in design. He is committed to educating engineers and infrastructure professionals on how to integrate equitable, accessible, and forward-thinking design into the built environment, making spaces that work for everyone.
Alistair Lloyds
Volunteer
Alistair began his career at Wessex Water in 2016 as a Civil Engineering Apprentice, gaining hands-on experience while completing his NVQ and HNC in Civil Engineering. After successfully completing his apprenticeship, he transitioned into a Construction Planner role, overseeing treatment programmes while furthering his studies with a civil engineering degree.
His career has since taken him to major infrastructure projects, including work on roads and networks at Hinkley Point and a pharmaceutical facility for GSK, where cutting-edge AIDS treatments will be manufactured. These projects provided invaluable experience in large-scale construction and infrastructure planning.
In June 2023, Alistair joined Envolve as a Contracts Manager, where he now leads infrastructure teams, driving project success and achieving new milestones. Passionate about effective planning, leadership, and innovation in construction, he continues to push boundaries in delivering high-quality, impactful projects.
Zoe Drew
Volunteer
Zoe is an advisor for Construct Ability, driven by a deep passion for accessibility and inclusive design. Her dedication stems from both her professional experience working with disabled individuals and her own journey as a wheelchair user since 2014. She understands first-hand the challenges of navigating inaccessible environments and is committed to removing barriers that marginalise people based on ability or mobility.
Her work in accessibility includes advising, designing, and creating opportunities to prevent exclusion. She has played a key role in setting up disability-friendly sports clubs, developing marketing strategies for para-sports organisations, and working with businesses, community facilities, and outdoor play spaces to improve accessibility in new developments. Through these initiatives, she has demonstrated how thoughtful design can foster true inclusivity.
Zoe strongly believes that inclusive design should be prioritised from the outset of any construction project. By incorporating input from individuals with impairments or disabilities at the planning stage, accessibility becomes an integral part of development, rather than an afterthought. Her particular areas of focus include physical, mental, and neurodivergent accessibility, and she continues to expand her expertise to create a more inclusive and equitable built environment for all.
Construct Ability was founded to address a critical gap in the construction and engineering sectors.