Her inaugural address called for more women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities to be actively welcomed into construction and provided the support to grow and develop.

Thompson said: “At the heart of diversity is inclusion.

“It’s an attitude of ‘How can I make the work environment more conducive to people doing a good job’, regardless of their gender, ethnic background, or any disability.”

“The better we make our industry – the more professional we are – the more we will attract young people.

“We have a tremendous offer: a career in which one can go back to a building years later and say, I helped build that.”

Thompson is currently a lecturer in Building Studies at York College.

Her construction career started as a quantity surveyor at Shepherd Construction and recently included seven years at York Minister, first as Superintendent of Works and then as Chapter Steward, a chief executive role.

Thompson currently runs her own business, Thompson Heritage Consultancy Ltd.

She has been a CIOB Trustee since 2015 and has held positions with numerous contractors and consultants, including EC Harris, Yorkon Limited, NHBC, and Shepherd Construction.