The winners of the second annual MAN everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards has been announced, highlighting the successes of the women who are making strides in this dynamic and global industry which traditionally has been dominated by men.
The Woman of the Year Award went to Elaine Miller, Operations Director at Wincanton Container Logistics, presented to a woman in the industry whose vision, dedication and success make her an outstanding role model for other women embarking upon careers in transport and logistics.
Elaine, from Ipswich in Surrey began her career as an accountant with Russell Davies and became the first and only female director in the companys 21 year history at only 30 years of age. Under her guidance, profits increased to 3.3m and when the company was sold to Wincanton in January 2008, Elaine facilitated the integration. Later in the same year, she facilitated a second integration, following the acquisition of the CEL group by Wincanton, resulting in a 1.8m cost saving and the company becoming the UKs market leader in container logistics services. Throughout her career, Elaine has managed to maintain national level ladies basketball, having retired from the game only recently.
The transport and logistics industry is ever evolving, and offers diverse and challenging career opportunities for women. These winners act as shining role models to others wanting to take the leap into a career in the UKs fifth largest sector, which contributes nearly 75 billion to the economy each year.* The global economic downturn has led many women to re-evaluate their career options and the MAN everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards highlight the opportunities that this industry can offer talented and exceptional women.
The other winners in these Awards were:
Vicki Davenport, Sales & Commercial Director, The Pink Link Ltd was chosen as Director of the Year, having worked her way up the career ladder in a heavily male dominated environment. Vicki, from Huddersfield, believes that her success is down to possessing excellent organisational skills, vital for a woman in a mans world.
The Industry Trainer of the Year winner was Joe Thorp, Training Manager, London Underground (LU), from Hampton Court in Surrey. Joe worked her way into management having started as a temporary administrator 16 years ago, and her role now involves directly managing a team of six trainers half of which are female, as well as overseeing the end to end development of front-line Duty Managers, of which LU has 800.
Tricia Madge, Trains Performance Manager - Central Line, London Underground takes home the Rising Star of the Year Award. Tricia, from Redhill in Surrey, started her career on the graduate training scheme and is now responsible for over 600 staff on the Central Line, ensuring the train service runs effectively. With Tricia in charge, her team has seen success, including greatly improved staff attendance and reduced customer queuing time.
The Team of the Year Award went to the team run by Nina Hart, Transport and Warehouse Manager at Simarco International Ltd. Nina, from Braintree in Essex, is responsible for managing and running over 25 vehicles throughout the UK. The only woman in her department, she has to have a hands on approach, and under her guidance, turnover has doubled and profits gone from a loss in year one to well above industry standard net profit in 2008.
Commercial Driver of the Year went to Michelle Cubbin, Low Load Driver, J Mallinson (Ormskirk). Michelle, from Preston, Lancashire, started working for the company as a summer job earning the minimum wage, but felt her passion lay in driving. Exhibiting strength of character and determination, she became the companys first female driver, proving to her employer that she could step up to the challenge.
Loraine Greening, Senior Manager - Operations, FedEx Express was the winner of the Warehousing Award. Starting her career in transport and logistics as a data entry operator in 1983, Loraine has since undertaken a number of roles and is now responsible for the sorting of all freight arriving into and leaving the UK at FedExs international hub in Stansted. Successes attributed to Loraine include a 45% increase in packages handled in a month, and reducing absence levels by 75%.
Karen Gill MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman comments, We are delighted with the level of entries that we have received and these women have all made an outstanding contribution to the sector, which is why they have been chosen as winners. We are confident that their success will not only propel their career forward, but will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Des Evans, CEO of sponsor MAN Truck & Bus UK comments, The achievements of todays winners cannot be underestimated. They have set the very highest standards in their own roles and are an example for anyone thinking of entering the transport and logistics industry. Within our own MAN team we have seen for some time the many benefits women bring into the business, and to be able to support this initiative again this year is both a pleasure and a privilege.
Dr Mick Jackson, Chief Executive, Skills for Logistics adds, Skills for Logistics would like to congratulate the winners of the everywoman in transport and logistics awards on their success. It is fantastic to see such innovative work and commitment to the logistics sector and to acknowledge how exciting the industry can be and the varied opportunities available to a diverse workforce.
The judging panel for the 2009 MAN everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards comprised some of the most influential figures in the industry, such as Kate Gibbs, Head of Communications, Road Haulage Association Limited; Theo de Pencier, Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association; Janet Entwistle; Managing Director, BT Fleet Ltd; Nikki King OBE, Managing Director, Isuzu Truck *UK) Ltd; and Dorothea Carvalho, Director of Professional Development at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK).
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