Hundreds of business figures gathered alongside Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport, Andrew Jones MP today in London for the unveiling of the 2015 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards winners. Selected by a judging panel of industry leaders, these women are considered the finest in their field in the UK, whether as engineers, drivers, young trailblazers, or managers going above and beyond the day job.
The FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards were launched eight years ago with the primary aim of raising the profile of women excelling in the industry in order to make it known that transport and logistics is an industry that is inclusive and open to all. This year’s winners come from well-known organisations as diverse as the Royal Navy, London Underground and DHL, as well as start-up enterprises, reflecting the varying options for those contemplating a career in logistics or transport.
The Woman of the Year award was presented to Fiona Kerr, aged 37, who is Managing Director of First Glasgow. Fiona was recognised for being the first female Managing Director of any of First Group’s UK local bus businesses, and for championing women in the company, having proactively achieved a 50/50 gender split among her executive director team.
The category winners of the 2015 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics are:
Rising Star of the Year Award – sponsored by Wincanton:
- Zoë Dobell (27), Project Engineer, London Underground, from London
Driver of the Year Award – sponsored by Motor Transport:
- Kerryn Hedley (31), Bus Driver, Reading Buses, from Reading
The Warehousing Award – sponsored by DHL:
- Joanne Harrison (38), Days Warehouse Shift Manager, ASDA, from Hartlepool
Innovation & Sustainability Award:
- Zoe Powers (35), Sales and Customer Relations Director, GLH, from London
Team Leader of the Year Award – sponsored by High Speed 1 (HS1):
- Lt Cdr Elaine Boyd RN (34), Logistics Officer, Royal Navy, from London
Leader of the Year Award – sponsored by Asda Logistics Services:
- Jenny Hooper (45), Managing Director, Independent Freight, from Nuneaton
Industry Champion Award – sponsored by TNT UK:
- Nicola Hosty (41), Head of HR Support Services, Northern Rail, from Leeds
In addition, a special recognition award, ‘The Spirit of everywoman’ was presented to Michèle Dix, Managing Director, Crossrail 2 for being a pioneer in the transport and logistics industry.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-founder of everywoman, comments, “The transport and logistics industry offers myriad opportunities for people from all backgrounds and skillsets, with the passion and determination to succeed. The women celebrated today show what makes the industry so great – they are breaking barriers, changing perceptions, and are role models for others, both those already forging a career in the industry and those who have never even considered it. As industry ambassadors, our winners have the ability to attract new talent to the sector.”
David Wells, Chief Executive Officer, FTA adds: “The Freight Transport Association is delighted to once again be the Title Partner of the 2015 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. This event showcases how women can make a successful and fulfilling career in transport, and the record number of entries to this year’s categories is indicative of how important these Awards are to our industry.
“A staggering 2.2 million people work in transport and logistics in the UK, but less than a quarter of these employees are female. The current driver shortage crisis illustrates the need for our industry to access a wider talent pool in order to meet its need for good quality staff. Working with everywoman helps FTA highlight the importance of the freight and logistics sector, and encourages others to join what is an essential industry to the UK economy.”
