Awards for women in transport & logistics showcase diversity of roles

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The transport & logistics sector is often misunderstood when it comes to careers for women.  It is surrounded by misconceptions:

Not an interesting sector to work inA male-focused environmentJobs are low-skilled or manualLimited scope for women

The list goes on.  Reality, I am delighted to say, tells us something completely different.

Let me smash each of these misconceptions:

Transport & logistics may not necessarily have the appeal of, say, the ‘sexier’ aerospace sector, but I can honestly say that it is one of the most important.  Without the planning and distribution of resources, society would cease to exist as we know it.  How would food be transported not only in the UK, but across the world?  How would people be transported to work or explore the world? When you stop and think about it - the importance can't be underestimatedThere is no denying that women are outnumbered by men in transport & logistics (75% of employees are male*) but the tide is most definitely turning.  Research in mid-2012 by everywoman showed a marked increase in the number of women who feel their career aspirations can be fulfilled in the sector – 94% compared to 83% in 2011.Sure there are manual jobs but just as the sector is so varied so are the types of jobs available.  From truck and passenger drivers, warehouse workers and forklift operators, to those for people skilled in planning, business development, marketing, finance, project management, human resources, language specialists, etc. the sector has positions for people at all levels of skills and education.  The sheer variety of work available is what makes the sector so interesting to work in.Many women hold top positions and head up large companies as well as those who are drivers, have administration roles straight out of school, are on management/graduate training programmes or at various levels of management.

The sector can be demanding and those I know who work within it have a high level of pride in how they have chosen to earn their living.  Women can, and do, enjoy successful careers in the sector and there are no limits for women especially when it comes to entry routes.  This last point is important for the many girls choosing their path after school who want more than a job - they want to have a varied and fulfilling career.

A shining example of a woman who chose to start her career straight from school rather than continue on the university route is Stephanie Unitt.  Stephanie started on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) and worked her way up through the ranks to be a Regional Stock & Audit Manager gaining qualifications on the way.  Her passion and enthusiasm for the environment changed her career path and Stephanie is now Environment Advisor at CEVA Logistics.  In recognition of her achievements, Stephanie was awarded the Green Champion Award at the 2012 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards (now the Innovation and Sustainability Award). 

As the transport & logistics sector has so many facets and levels there are many opportunities for advancement or a career change.  One lady who really embodies this is Jane Weaver of AYS Couriers. Starting out as a PA within just a few years she launched a management buyout of the firm and drove a four-fold increase in turnover.  Jane is a passionate believer in the opportunities that logistics offers – as she states “I would say to anyone thinking of either starting their own business or moving into transport and togistics without experience – do it!”. Her career achievements led her to win the Director of the Year Award at the 2012 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards.

Stephanie and Jane are just two incredible examples of not only the varied roles in the sector but also of the different routes to the fulfilling careers they both have.  The transport & logistics sector is changing which is great news for women seeking a career in this exciting and important area.  The changes are reflected in this year’s everywoman FTA Transport & Logistics Awards with two new categories (Industry Champion and Innovation and Sustainability) and the scope being widened to include passenger transport for the first time.

If you are a woman working in transport & logistics or you know a woman who does then you still have time to enter these awards as nominations do not close until Monday 11th February.

* Road Haulage Association 2011

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Awards for women in transport & logistics seek role models

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Do you have what it takes to be a role model and inspire more women to work in transport and logistics?  The short answer is yes!  The longer answer is that role models come in all shapes and sizes, from a number of backgrounds, from those just starting out, to someone with many years under their belt, and work in a wide range of roles.  So, yes, you do have what it takes to be a role model.

Are role models necessary?

Once employed in the sector women find rewarding careers, yet it is not a sector that women tend to aspire to.  In research conducted at this summer’s 2nd annual everywoman in Transport and Logistics Leadership Academy, what surprised me was how few women (just 4%) had actively chosen the transport and logistics route, yet the same research showed that 44% of women in the industry have worked in it for 11 years or more. 

The industry clearly has an image issue in terms of attracting women, but then once they have caught the transport & logistics bug a large proportion find interesting, varied and challenging careers ahead.  It is therefore important for more to be done to attract women into the sector and promote the variety of roles available to them to make transport and logistics their career route of choice.

The transport and logistics industry needs to celebrate the successes and initiatives already in place that are clearly working and uncover and promote female role models from all levels to demonstrate this.  These role models are an affirmation that women can and do excel in transport & logistics.  Some people identify with peers better than someone who has already climbed the tree and reached a senior position, so finding women at all levels is important to inspire women at all stages of their career.

How can you become a role model?

The FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards has an important role to play in finding inspiring role models.  Winners of these awards for women are ideal role models for girls to show that women can and do break down barriers and succeed in this traditionally male-dominated industry.  Could you inspire the future generation? You can nominate yourself or a woman you know – it’s all done online at www.everywoman.com/tlawards and nominations are open until 11 February 2013.

Let’s get this show on the road and put you and your organisation on the map.

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Awards for women in Transport & Logistics

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

It is true that there are industries perceived as inherently male, or female, but change is certainly a-coming.  Male hairdressers, male PAs and male nannys are making way for female truck drivers, female company MDs and females in warehouses.  The transport & logistics sector is certainly seeing a shift in more women taking on roles that are seen as predominantly being in the male domain, but is enough being done to facilitate this shift?

I started this post by asking whether you thought transport & logistics is still a man’s world.  In certain instances the answer is yes, but there are also women excelling in their roles that certainly challenge the misconception that transport & logistics is for the boys.

Take Laurie Bartram for example.  At just 21 years of age Laurie passed her Class 1 (C+E).  She became one of the youngest women in the country to get a full Driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence and Drivers Qualifications Card, and topped this by becoming Commercial Driver of the Year in the 2012 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. “Being an HGV driver is not for everyone but being a woman is not an issue,” says Laurie.  “There’s a lot of work out there if you’re prepared to put the time and effort in, just make sure you are happy to be on your own for long periods of time.  I have my dream job.” *

Nikki King OBE is another example of a woman reaching the heights.  Fifteen years after returning from an eight year career break to raise her family, Nikki became the first female Managing Director of a UK commercial vehicle manufacturer.  She was awarded the OBE for services to the road transport industry in 2002, is an active member of the Commercial Vehicle Show Committee and the first female Vice President of the Society of Operations Engineers.  Nikki is also one of the judges for this year’s FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. 

Laurie and Nikki are just two shining examples of women in the so-called man’s world of transport & logistics.  They have not taken no for an answer and have not seen being female as a barrier to achieving their potential.  Neither should you.

I believe that the transport and logistics sector needs more women to come forward and challenge the rapidly outdated view that transport & logistics is not for women. It is important for the future lifeblood of the sector that more women realise there are opportunities open to them and roles that are fulfilling and challenging.

There are many examples of women excelling in their roles and the FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards are one way to showcase these women and let them shine as role models to encourage more females to work in the sector.

If you are the next Laurie or Nikki, or are banishing male/female stereotypes in your own field, enter these awards for women now.  The categories cover a broad spectrum of business areas.   From the two new categories this year of Industry Champion and Innovation and Sustainability, to Director of the Year, women working across the board in transport & logistics should step forward and enter.  A new development for 2013 is that the categories have been expanded to encompass passenger transport as well as commercial transport.

Smash those feminine stereotypes and show your peers that you excel as a woman in transport & logistics.

* Daily Mirror, August 2012

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Female Role Models at the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Once a year some of the top UK retailers come together for a celebration – to recognise and honour the talented women working in the sector. With a glamorous setting at the Savoy Hotel in London, guests arrived eager to find out more about some great new role models for female retailers. I often find the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards are unlike any other – as it’s an evening event, the guests are donning their best dresses and the night is truly special. It’s always filled with inspirational hosts, a vibrant compere, but most of all, a group of extremely talented women working in the retail industry who have been selected as finalists – the real stars of the evening.

Opening the ceremony, Karen and Max took to the stage to welcome guests and give thanks to all of the people in the room – people who are passionate about retail and people who work so hard every day to keep the industry alive in the these tough economical times.

Following Karen and Max, Karren Brady, 2008 Spirit of everywoman Award Winner and Vice Chairman of West Ham United FC, was invited to speak. Karren,, a Non-Executive Director at Arcadia,  hopes her enthusiasm and determination will encourage other women to not just enter the sector, but to excel and reach senior levels. She promised to keep the door wide open for women to reach the top level – a true ambassador for anyone either working in retail, or hoping to in the future.

After the lovely three course meal guests were treated to the fabulous Ruth Brown, a truly brilliant singer and contestant on popular TV show The Voice, who was mentored by the great Tom Jones. Very simply stated – what a voice, and judging from the crowd everyone thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

Next up, the main event – the awards ceremony. BBC presenter Kate Silverton couldn’t have been a more fitting compere for the evening. Her story was fascinating, telling the audience how she started in a career she didn’t really feel passionate about and after resigning in finance found herself thriving in journalism.  She really believed that if ”you do what you really want to do, you will never fail.“

As far as I am concerned, all of our finalists are winners, a group of women who are incredibly driven and who shining examples are of how with a bit of hard work and determination anything is possible.

The group of women who took home the trophies last night are all role models – from Alyssa Smith, jewellery designer who started making jewellery at the age of five, to Jo Davies, Founder and Managing Director of Black and White Denim, a shop that has proved incredibly successful all over the nation due to their strong online presence. These women were just two of a fantastic group of winners who lit up the room with positive energy and who are exemplary role models for anyone in the retail industry.

The Woman of the Year Judith McKenna, Chief Operating Officer of Asda, is also the definition of a role model; holding one of the most senior roles in retail, her transformation of 160 Netto stores into Asda stores was nothing short of incredible.

Closing the evening Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, took to the stage. She has a strong passion for the retail industry and a wealth of knowledge within in the sector. With 1600 stores worldwide, Dame Mary has led Specsavers to become a brand we all know and love, and it’s obvious to see it’s her drive and determination which allowed for this.

Leaving the room last night, I truly felt that with the abundance of incredible women working in the sector now – it won’t be long until the retail sector is thriving once again. UK retailers are truly passionate about what they do, and the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards was a perfect example of how important it is to recognise those that are keeping the industry alive. Doing so will definitely create role models for the future generation of women hoping to enter the retail industry, and ultimately lead to more financial success for retailers.

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