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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Role models don’t know the long shadow that they cast…

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Joanna Shields’ appointment to head up Tech City is great news. Tech City, the ‘Silicon Roundabout’ is Britain’s attempt to rival the US and its Silicon Valley: a crucial and high profile initiative. Taking the lead in this shows just how highly regarded Joanna is. As the former European head of Facebook, Joanna is a fabulous female role model in technology - Media Guardian has even named her as the sixth most influential person in global media.

It’s so important for women to see their peers in senior positions – throughout all industries - not just tech. Recent research of over 1000 women undertaken by Marie Claire, in partnership with everywoman, shows that 70% said that there “were few” or “no women” actually occupying these senior positions where they worked.

Within technology this certainly holds true; women leading the way such as Joanna are vital and unfortunately in short supply. A report by the Institution for Engineering and Technology, warns just 6% of jobs in science and engineering are taken up by women. A depressing statistic, but I think what’s important is that there really does seem to be a focus right now on righting this imbalance. What’s interesting is that, while women like Joanna are undoubtedly role models at the top of their game, role models come at every stage. Take Steph Nicolaou, Business Analyst for TNS Global, winner of the Rising Star of the Year Award in the 2011 everywoman in Technology Awards. Steph shows that age doesn’t need to be a barrier and that success at a young age can also be achieved with hard work and determination.

Who are the stars of tomorrow that you know working in technology? Do you know, or are you, a fantastic innovator? Or perhaps you are flying the flag for women in IT by leading a team to success? You might be the next Rising Star of the Year…

Whatever the role we have categories to showcase a whole range of talents and experience. So go on – take the first step into becoming a role model for other women and nominate today. As Maxine Benson MBE and co-founder of everywoman says "I'm passionate about role models: they don't realise the long shadow they cast". I couldn’t agree more – and we need more of them!

You can nominate yourself; a colleague or friend at www.everywoman.com/techawards. Nominations close Monday 19 November 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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