Julie holds her own in a man’s world

20 August 2010

A HANDYWOMAN from Brinklow has proved she can cut it in a man’s world by becoming the first ever female to have competed in an international drilling and sawing competition.

Julie White, managing director of Shilton based diamond drilling and sawing firm D-Drill, took part in the national championships of the Tyrolit Cutting Pro competition at an industry convention held in Daventry.

And despite only having half a day’s training leading up to the contest, Ms White competed with some of the best in the country in a variety of specialised sawing and drilling events for a chance to go on to the European championships.

While she missed out on reaching the next stage, she far from disgraced herself and finished ahead of one or more of her masculine competitors in every category.

Ms White even managed to finish ahead of the defending champion from the previous two years in the core drilling section of the competition. She said: “Despite being the managing director of a drilling company and being surrounded by a family in the industry I had never learnt to drill.

“This is a very male-dominated industry so two years ago, after I had taken over the company from my father Peter White, I promised I would have a go at this competition and I didn’t go back on my word. “I was nervous at first but I took it quite light heartedly and ended up doing pretty well.

“All my female friends and my dad were there cheering me on as well, so it was a great day.”

The event was compeered by television personality Keith Chegwin and saw competitors attempt to complete drilling and sawing tasks in the quickest possible time.

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