WOMEN IN HOMEBUILDING
Claire Seymour builds skills and
overcomes challenges with B.C. builder
after travelling from Australia
Canadian Design and Construction Special Feature
BY BRICE FERRE STUDIO - VANCOUVER PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER
48 – Spring 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
Growing up in Australia with three older brothers and a
father who was a design consultant for construction proj-
ects, Claire Seymour learned at a young age to be handy and
that being outside, getting dirty and helping out were all
okay. Today she is a construction manager with B.C. based
Lacey Developments Ltd.

While in Australia, Seymour studied project and small
business management. A boyfriend who was a Red Seal car-
penter and master of all trades got her involved helping with
a variety of his projects. When she arrived in Canada in 2006
on a 12-month work visa, a friend hooked her up with her
current employer, who needed assistance for a few weeks
working on an off-the-grid cabin.

“Erik (Lacey – president of Lacey Developments) realized
that I knew how to use power tools and I guess he saw my
potential. As Erik’s company started to grow I transitioned
out of working on site as much and started helping him man-
age projects. I completed a construction management
course and now I look after all of our new custom housing
projects.” Seymour says while it is likely many women in male dom-
inated industries have stories about certain people not giv-
ing them a chance or not believing in them, her own
experiences always made her even more determined to
prove that she knew what she was talking about, knew what
she was doing and that she could do the same or better than
any guy.

“I found that once I proved myself to people, they were
my biggest supporters from that moment forward – whether
these people were co-workers or clients. Today I’m lucky
enough to have the reputation I do so I don’t often experi-
ence that doubt from anyone.”
She says there have been times where she has been left
second guessing herself and what she’s doing but there
have also been times when she feels proud. Thankfully, she
says, the better times outweigh the bad and “the way I see
it, the bad give you that extra boost to keep going and do
things better.”
Seymour says Erik and his wife Lesa have always been
very supportive. “Erik has always let me try anything, and
knew if I didn’t have it in me, I would tell him or ask for help.

He gave me every chance and opportunity that he could –
and probably more than I even know about.”
“Both of them treat their staff like members of their family
and I think if you all have that mutual respect and ambition
to succeed then success is inevitable. I always consider our
clients to be part of this too. Even though they only work
with you for several months.”