UK Freight and Logistics This Week is All About the Women

UK – It would be no exaggeration, as anyone who has visited such venues with any regularity knows, that a trip to the average shipping dinner, awards or similar event, demonstrates how far behind the freight industry is when it comes to breaking the glass ceiling. Usually the number of men to women at such events is often in the order of ten to one. June 2017 however gives the opportunity to promote gender diversity with not one but two stand out events in the logistics calendar.

Firstly we saw the results in at the end of last week for the annual Women in Logistics ceremony which resulted in awards for four inspirational logistics champions. The festivities, including an exclusive dinner and ball, were organised by Women in Logistics, a membership group formed in 2008 to increase the number of women in the industry, improve life for those women already working in logistics and to address the gender imbalance issue. Clare Bottle of Women in Logistics said:

"WIL champions the vital contribution that women must make, to ensure the sustainability and success of the logistics sector within the UK economy. Our prize-giving ceremony provides a platform to showcase the talents and achievements of some exceptional role-models and we are delighted to be able to share their stories with a wide audience. By learning about our winners, we hope others will believe in themselves even more and be inspired to sponsor the women around them too."

The awards and charity ball this year raised £4000 to support Transaid, the industry’s favourite charity which tackles poverty and disadvantage by building transport skills and knowledge in the developing world. The winners this year were:

• Leader of the Year Award: Jacqueline O'Donovan of O'Donovan Waste Disposal. Additionally Sarah Shaw from the University of Hull was given a ‘highly commended’ award, a rare distinction given to show the intensity of some very tough competition
• Diversity Champion of the Year Award (sponsored by The Forton Group): Jennifer Swain of JPS
• Under 30 Young Woman of the Year Award (sponsored by DHL): Kelly Wilson of Dynamic Medical
• Company of the Year Award: DHL, for its role as an employer promoting diversity in the workplace

Meanwhile at London’s Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on Wednesday 21 June the other big Awards bash to celebrate and promote women in the sector goes ahead as the 2017 FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards is celebrated. A full list of finalists and sponsors was published in our piece on the Awards in May and with six awards, this year with five split into ‘Leader’ and ‘Above and Beyond’ categories it looks like another busy event.

Photo: The WiL Award winners gathered together.