The Dorchester’s Post

Happy #IWD! Today we're excited to bring you an interview with Marie Lacaze. Tell us about your current role and what led you here. Over three years ago, I embarked on a new path in my career from F&B Manager at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester to Area Project Manager at Dorchester Collection. In my different F&B roles, I was involved in two restaurant openings and at The Dorchester, the soft refurbishment in 2019 of the 3 Michelin star restaurant, Alain Ducasse. I loved every minute of it, and have truly enjoyed working along different designers, architects, consultants, artisans, artists, and contractors in making a space truly special, unique and with incredible attention to detail. In my current role, I have been instrumental in directing and executing renovation and restoration project at the 3 UK properties that harmonize functionality with luxury. Each project comes with its challenges but this is what makes my role fulfilling, interesting and rewarding. I am also lucky to work along very competent, professional, knowledgeable and passionate people which concur to make each project a success. What challenges have you experienced as a woman in your role, and how have you overcome them? The construction industry is one of the most male-dominated sectors in the UK, with reports showing women make up only 15% of the construction workforce. Similar statistics can be found in the design and creative industry and even more true in leadership roles. These statistics never deterred me and to the contrary it does encourage me to be better and better every day and to empower women to not hold back on their dreams. I believe, growing respect will come from by having the right knowledge, understand the processes and technicalities, being hands-on, efficient and confident. You may be faced sometimes with some forms of sexism at different level and I believe this comes from not being used to see women in higher leadership roles, on a building site and unconscious biais that need to be broken down. In my personal experience, it has not been, luckily, really an issue. I would also strongly encourage anyone to be thirsty of learning new skills, new subjects and making a habit of it. These last 3 years I have passed my Prince 2 certification and Construction project management certificate with the support of Dorchester Collection. I have also been trained on different software used commonly in this industry such as AutoCad and SketchUp. These have reinforced my skills and my abilities which help with confidence and maitrise. Who is your role model and why? I won’t be able to name only one as there are so many. Several women in my personal life, in the past history and current have inspired and empower me to be bold, challenge preconceptions, be passionate and pursue my dreams. Just to name a few incredible role models: Marie Curie, Simone Veil, Simone de Beauvoir, Emmeline Pankhurst, Nancy Grace Roman, Andrea M. Ghez, #BelongToTheLegend