25 July, 2023
From work experience at an undertakers – to a challenging role as director at a fast-expanding manufacturing company – Tamsyn Williamson’s career has certainly been varied!
The mother of one young son is currently Operations Director at TimberTight, a family-run business established in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, specialising in timber frame panels and forging ahead in a niche but expanding market.
Aged 40, Tamsyn joined the company in 2019 after 13 years in the metal stockholding industry and works alongside her husband, Paul. TimberTight products are used for construction projects, including homes, extensions and commercial buildings.
She, said: “Having spent my previous working career in the metal stockholding industry, it’s been a real eye-opener to be involved in something completely different.
“Due to recent legislation and energy costs there is a real buzz about timber frames at the moment. From a purely business perspective, winning new work and delivering great products and client service, gives me a huge buzz.”
Now, in recognition of her successful career in traditionally male-dominated industries, Tamsyn was selected to participate in a Women in Industry podcast, due to be broadcast on June 14th.
The initiative aims to celebrate the roles of many great women forging successful careers in sectors, traditionally dominated by men.*
Tracing Tamsyn’s career back to her school days, she originally fancied being an undertaker! After completing a two-year embalming course, alongside her very busy working and personal life, she said:
“It all started at high school when I was very excited at the possibility of dissection during a science lesson. Unfortunately, we ended up dissecting a broad bean!
“I think I also had a bit of a morbid curiosity with death, strange as that sounds. I had been lucky enough to not experience any family deaths by that point and it all seemed very mysterious.
“I did my work experience at an undertaker and loved it, however when I left school I started in the metal industry straight away, as an opportunity cropped up.
“Meanwhile, the undertaker told me about the British institute of embalmers. The course was two years long during the evenings, with practical work every week (I had to affiliate with a practising embalmer) and six written exams with a practical exam at the end. I was very proud to pass, although I’ve never practised.”
To view the latest Women in Industry podcasts, please visit www.womeninindustry.org