Breaking barriers and changing perceptions

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.”

For further information please visit www.everywoman.com/tlawards

 

The Awards Judging Panel

Jill Clark, Senior Director – People, Asda Logistics Services

Alistair Cochrane, Former Managing Director UK & Ireland, TNT UK

Megan De Klerk, Employee Engagement Programme Manager, Network Rail

Helen Diksa, HR Director – Operations & Modernisation Function, Royal Mail Group

Mike Dunn, Vice President, DHL Supply Chain

Des Evans, Former CEO, MAN Truck & Bus Ltd

Jacqui Gavaghan, Performance Director, Reading Buses

Kate Gibbs, Head of Media Relations, Road Haulage Association (RHA)

Simon Harper, Director of Operations, TNT UK

Nikki King OBE, Honorary Chairman and former Managing Director, Isuzu Trucks (UK) Ltd

Theo de Pencier, Former Chief Executive Officer, Freight Transport Association (FTA)

June Powell, Director of Operations, Freight Transport Association (FTA)

Nicola Shaw, CEO, High Speed 1

Mark Simmons, HR & HSE Director, Norbert Dentressangle

Sarah Vidgen, HR Business Partner, Wincanton

Peter Ward, Chief Executive Officer, UK Warehousing Association (UKWA)

Julie Welch, Group HR Director, Wincanton

Carole Woodhead, CEO, Hermes