The 2024 everywoman in Transport & Logistics awards highlighted achievements in a male-dominated industry.
- Over 480 industry leaders attended the ceremony, emphasising the significance of gender diversity.
- Despite progress, women make up only 23% of the workforce, highlighting room for growth.
- Awards recognise innovative leadership and resilience among women in transport and logistics.
- Winners demonstrated the critical impact women have as role models and innovators.
The 2024 everywoman in Transport & Logistics awards were celebrated with fervour at a prominent ceremony in London, drawing the attention of over 480 industry leaders. This event served as a significant platform for promoting gender diversity, which remains a pressing issue within this traditionally male-dominated field. Despite efforts, women represent only 23% of the workforce in this sector, underscoring the need for continued growth and advancement opportunities.
Launched to bring attention to the diverse range of opportunities available for women, the awards showcased the essential roles women play in driving the industry forward. The organisers noted that more than half of the women in this sector are in non-transport roles, and a significant 54% of organisations lack formal gender diversity commitments or quotas. Such statistics reveal the underlying challenges that need to be addressed to foster a more inclusive environment.
Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman, emphasised the economic benefits of diversifying the workforce, citing studies that consistently show how diverse teams enhance creativity, problem-solving, and profitability. Benson highlighted that achieving gender parity could potentially yield economic gains equivalent to 10% of GDP by 2030, making the case for attracting and nurturing female talent in the industry even stronger.
The standout award, the everywoman Woman of the Year, was bestowed upon Sarah-May Harrison, an operations supervisor at FedEx Express in Lancashire. Her career, which began at just 16, is a testament to her exceptional professionalism and ability to navigate the challenges of a male-dominated industry with resilience.
Other notable winners included Ella Harper from Unipart Dorman, who received the Apprentice of the Year award, and Hannah Man from Go-Ahead London for the Customer/Passenger award. Such accolades underscore the diverse roles women occupy across different facets of transport and logistics, highlighting their contributions and leadership.
These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also serve as inspiration for future generations, further reinforcing the crucial role of women as role models and innovators in the industry. This event marks another successful year in recognising women’s contributions and the potential for further progress.
The awards celebrate women’s impact on transport and logistics, inspiring progress and fostering gender diversity.
