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TG Lynes Managing Director Andrew Ingram has spoken of the importance of equality, diversion and inclusion within the business – and the goals for the next seven years.

Leading heating, plumbing and air movement supplier TG Lynes has made significant strides towards building a more diverse workforce, particularly since becoming part of the Grafton Group in 2015.

Celebrating International Women’s Day this week, Andrew said: “Diversity and inclusion is a high priority for TG Lynes. That is a goal we were already striving towards but it has accelerated since we became part of Grafton Group.

“Our individuals do not need to mask who they are. We want them to be their authentic selves and we’re committed to treating everyone equally regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

“Having people from a range of backgrounds has been very beneficial to the business. It helps to have a variety of thoughts and ideas to draw from.

“International Women’s Day gives us a chance to reflect and celebrate the progress that has been made in TG Lynes and our industry as a whole, as well as reaffirming our goals for the future.”

TG Lynes recently appointed Gurcu Karakurt onto the senior management team, becoming the first female to hold the position.

The company is also welcoming the first female Finance Director to the team in the coming weeks while there are other women in senior positions, including Management Accountant Lindy McChesney-Tilley and Warehouse Supervisor Donna Hart.

Andrew added: “The most important thing is we have the best calibre of people in the right roles – and we give people the chance to build their careers with us.”

Grafton Group has made a series of pledges to continue improving diversity between now and 2030, including a year on year increase in percentage of colleagues that are female.

The Group also plans to be in the top 100 in the FTSE 250 for board diversity by 2030.

TG Lynes stocks industry leading brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available.

Gurcu Karakurt has spoken of her pride of being the first female member of TG Lynes’ senior management team in the business’ history.

Gurcu was promoted to Commercial Manager last year after seven years at the company.

It meant she became the first woman to sit at the table for the regular meetings of TG Lynes’ five-strong leadership team.

It is further evidence of the significant strides TG Lynes has made around inclusion and diversity in recent years, particularly since becoming part of the Grafton Group in 2015.

Gurcu said: “I am very proud to be making a little bit of history within the company. I hope it paves the way for more women to be part of the senior management team in the future.

“I am fortunate to have never felt disadvantaged as a woman in work – but I am very aware that is not the case for everyone.

“International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the achievements of women – and to accept there is still more to be done to reach true equality.

“Diversity at TG Lynes has improved noticeably even during my seven years with the business, and that can only be a positive.”

Gurcu started at TG Lynes as Procurement Executive/ Data Analyst before being promoted to Commercial Supervisor and later Commercial Manager.

Her current role focuses on procurement as well as managing buyers, suppliers, prices and margins.

Gurcu praised TG Lynes for its support when she had her twins in 2019.

“I began my maternity leave in 2019 and then Covid meant I couldn’t return to my job at the time,” she said.

“TG Lynes agreed to extend my leave and then, when I could finally return, they were flexible with hybrid working.

“TG Lynes is so supportive as a business. I never felt excluded, and my input was always valued.

“If anyone wants to work, regardless of gender, race or any other difference, they should be able to. TG Lynes puts that belief into practice.”

Gurcu said she is enjoying her new role and is happy at the business.

“I have much more responsibility now and it is more challenging, but feel more content than ever before,” she said.

“Despite being an industry leader and part of a larger group of businesses, TG Lynes has still retained its family feel. Everyone is close and it’s a good place to be.”