Tunbridge Wells, UK: The image of truck operation as a man’s world is long gone with a quarter of the 2.2m UK workforce now female.
The sector now includes growing numbers of female managers, drivers, engineers, transport office and other staff in all disciplines. But the sector is still looking to recruit far more women says its trade body, the Freight Transport Association.
The Freight Logistics Industry Image Group says that the women holding senior political and public appointments must now exceed any other equivalent sector. Geoff Dossetter, chairman of the group said: “Women have always played an essential role in our essential industry. But the list of major office holders now is increasingly female. It will be very interesting to see what sort of impact this hugely important and influential group of managers and administrators will have on the future operation and performance of logistics.”
Top political and regulatory jobs held by women include:
- Justine Greening, secretary of state for transport
- Theresa Villiers, minister of state for transport
- Maria Eagle, shadow secretary of state for transport
- Louise Ellman, chair of commons transport select committee
- Lin Homer, permanent secretary, Department for Transport
- Beverley Bell, acting senior traffic commissioner.
On the operational side, among thousands of senior female managers, are:
- Hilary Devey, chairman and chief executive of Pall-Ex
- Nikki King, managing director, Isuzu Trucks UK
- Jane Burkitt, supply chain director, Pepsico
- Moya Greene, chief executive, Royal Mail Group
- Kay Phillips, chief executive, GeoPost Worldwide.
Earlier this year the three name short-list for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport ‘Young Manager of the Year’ award contained three women.
Image Group member Kate Gibbs from the Road Haulage Association says: “The achievement of so many women in reaching the top in our industry should act as an encouragement to all. Logistics is an equal-opportunity sector and the sky is the limit for talented and enthusiastic women.”
The five members of the Freight Logistics Industry Image Group are the British Association of Removers, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, and the sector skills council Skills for Logistics.
