The UK's leaders in transport and logistics come together to recognise and celebrate the industries most inspirational women.
The winners in the 2011 MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards have just been announced, celebrating the achievements of those women making a difference in the sector. These Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise women excelling within an industry traditionally dominated by men. The winners demonstrate a range of career options available for women, from operational, distribution and planning roles to customer service and warehousing. Through hard work and determination, they have achieved success in a sector often overlooked by their female peers.
Joanna Davies, Logistics Manager, Advance Uranium Asset Management ltd from Preston has won the Woman of the Year Award, given to one enthusiastic and dedicated woman whose vision, innovative approach and success make her an outstanding role model, encouraging more women to choose a career in Transport and Logistics. This Award is sponsored by the Title Sponsor, MAN Truck and Bus UK Ltd.
Abby Taylor, Cycle Hire Expansion Project Manager, Transport for London from London has been named as Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Royal Mail Group.
Jane Gorick, Managing Director, LPR UK from Redditch has been named as the winner of the Director of the Year category, sponsored by Asda.
Linda Ferguson, Driver, Yodel from Carlisle is the winner of the Commercial Driver of the Year Award, sponsored by Motor Transport.
Valerie Morris-Cook, General Manager, Wincanton, from London, has been named the winner of The Warehousing Award, sponsored by DHL Supply Chain.
Katie Bratton, Asda HGV Driver/Trainer, Asda from Lutterworth has won the Industry Trainer of the Year category, sponsored by Skills for Logistics.
Annie Knell, Regional Environment Lead, Royal Mail from Cambridge has won the Green Champion of the Year Award, sponsored by DHL Supply Chain.
Debbie Palmer, General Manager, DHL Supply Chain - Unilever Contract, from West Thurrock, London, has been named the winner of the Team of the Year category, sponsored by CEVA Logistics.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman, comments "The number and calibre of nominations this year was exceptionally high, so congratulations to all of our Award winners. Every year, these Awards show that the Transport and Logistics sector offers a range of exciting, fulfilling and rewarding career opportunities for women. Our winners are all phenomenal role models whose success we applaud and whose passion, commitment and drive we celebrate - they are a huge inspiration for other women wanting to move into the industry."
Des Evans, Chief Executive of MAN Truck and Bus UK adds, "Once again it's a great pleasure for MAN Truck & Bus UK to be sponsoring the MAN everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards for the fourth consecutive year. Our association with these awards dates back to 2008 and we are delighted and proud to be asked to be part of their success in 2011. MAN has a long established reputation of encouraging women to enter and excel in what by many is seen as a traditionally male dominated industry. However this perception is continuing to diminish fast as growing numbers of energetic, career minded women choose to make a new start in the transport and logistics sector. If the high standard of the previous year's nominees and winners are anything to go by these awards are proof to all the women working within this sector of what can be achieved. Congratulations to all this years winners."
Dr Mick Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Skills for Logistics comments, "Skills for Logistics is proud to support the MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. Workforce diversity is a key factor in ensuring that the sector moves forward. There are not enough women represented in logistics, so it is exciting to see so many women that are contributing to the future of such a vital sector to the UK and indeed the global economy. The women that have won these awards have demonstrated a wide range of skills that are helping to ensure the ongoing success of our industry. By celebrating these achievements and encouraging the recognition of women working in logistics these awards help to raise its profile and demonstrate the opportunities and the wide-ranging roles that are available within it."
The awards ceremony and luncheon were held at The Savoy Hotel in London on 4 May 2011, where politicians, media, captains of industry, companies who recognise the value of a diverse workplace and the industry's most successful women gathered to honour outstanding female success. Supported by FTA and trade associations and industry bodies across the sector, the MAN everywoman Transport & Logistics Awards are uncovering the industry's most talented employees.