Newcomer of the Year Award
This award goes to the woman who is currently participating, has in the last 24 months participated, or is in a graduate training programme or apprenticeship and has excelled.

 

Lauren Butler, Transport Operations Supervisor, Triple A Transport Svs Ltd
Lauren started working in transport and logistics at the age of just 18 and has developed her understanding of the industry to such an extent that she is now responsible for sub-contracting over £3million worth of loads per annum. Commencing her career booking in freight, she has come a long way at the tender age of just 22, she is now charged with training junior staff members, determining partner companies and tachograph analysis which have culminated in helping to increase company turnover by £1 million.

Sarah Croft, Carrier Manager, Arco Ltd
Sarah has excelled in her role at Arco, the UK’s leading supplier of health and safety equipment and workwear, whilst still managing to achieve a distinction in her Executive MBA and acting as regional Secretary for the Humber Region of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Sarah manages the entire outbound carrier activity for the organisation which includes DHL and Fedex. Sarah has significantly raised the profile of logistics within Arco and has developed strong relationships with these carriers to bring innovation in the order fulfilment process as well as instigating a programme of continuous improvement to enhance the customer experience. Sarah, having completed her MBA, is now undertaking a PhD specialising in Logistics and Transport and hopes to make a contribution to the industry in both academic and practical terms.

Dawn Fisher, Consultant, Faber Maunsell
Starting out as a graduate trainee, Dawn became a consultant in July 2007. She is in charge of projects in transport planning and freight consultancy across Europe working on a variety of highway, transportation and emissions modelling and research projects. She has contributed greatly to her growing team at Faber Maunsell, recently winning Best Small Project of the Year Award within Aecom for their work on the Best Freight Practice Programme. She is credited for having an analytic aptitude which she implements to generate solutions and deliver excellent results. She is extremely proactive, has a highly positive attitude and is not afraid to challenge the norms but is equally praised for her ability to offer valuable advice without being overbearing. Dawn even influences stakeholders, local Authorities, governmental bodies - Department for Transport, Highways Agency and DEFRA as well as academics who have quoted her in theses.

Commercial Driver of the Year Award
This award goes to the woman that is excelling in her role as a driver (this could include but is not limited to HGV, van or motorcycle).

Stephanie Lynn Crack, Self-employed commercial driver, SLC Alldrive
Stephanie has always been passionate about driving, whether on a moped, tractor or milk van! At just 23 she started working at a plant hire company delivering fuel and oil to machinery on site using a Range Rover + bowser, as well as preparing machinery for hire, changing wheels on dumpers and JCBs. In addition, Stephanie drove dump trucks and excavators on site. Working her way up the ladder, (whilst being a single parent),she undertook category C training (rigid LGV), before moving onto Category C+E (articulated LGV) licence, to deliver bigger plant and drive low loaders. She also rallied to aid the foot and mouth crisis in 2001 by disposing of carcasses. She then progressed to driving tippers and livestock wagons around the country on a self employed basis. She broadened her skills with a PCV (Passenger Carriage Vehicle) licence and is now able to undertake coaching work for two regular companies as well as her LGV client base. On top of the ‘day job’, she still finds time for extra activities, including joining the Women on the Move’ project, completing her ADR training (hazardous goods) & CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) parts 1+2, and of course spending time with her three children.

Julie Richardson-Thomas, Lorry Driver, S.Winfield Ltd

Julie Thomas, Driver & sidelifter Operator, Containerlift Services Ltd
Julie has developed a real passion for commercial driving, having started out over twenty years ago and funding herself through training, and becoming the first woman in the UK to operate sidelifter machinery. Being a driver and sidelifter operator, Julie has to manoeuvre some of the heaviest vehicles on the road, often in tight spaces, driving to places where often no other vehicles go. In addition to this, she operates cranes which lift up to 36 tonnes – often lifting to other vehicles and she also manages operations. During her career she has navigated some of the most difficult trans-alpine roads in Europe whilst carrying dangerous goods, and has gone the extra mile by qualifying as a first-aider. Julie regularly contributes to trade journals and keeps up to date blogs on industry websites, and is regularly endorsed by her peers as outstripping her male counterparts in terms of performance. The future sees Julie renewing her dangerous goods ADR licence with radio actives component.

The Customer Service Award
This award goes to the woman who is excelling at her role within customer services or the woman whose level of customer service exceeds expectation.

Angela Back, General Manager, London Underground
Angela left school at 16 and her mum applied for two jobs for her. She chose London Underground so she could get a free pass-but she’s still there 27 years later. She’s been lucky to have been surrounded by people that supported her and challenged her. Angela is one of only two women General Managers of lines on the London Underground. Angela is in charge of the Metropolitan line, is one of the most challenging lines to work on due to it being one of the oldest undergrounds in the world. 2007 saw the best ever operating performance and also the highest recorded customer satisfaction score and employee satisfaction for her line was also at record levels. Her open and positive attitude has inspired her team and despite the fact that the Metropolitan line has the highest number of male managers and staff with long service, she has excelled. Angela is deemed to be a true role model for other women aspiring to a managerial position for being approachable and fair and spending a great deal of time on the ‘front line’. She is credited for being quick to take up new procedures and for helping fellow GMs understand the challenges and of budgeting and finance.

Susan Davies, Depot General Manager, Home Delivery Network Ltd
Susan has demonstrated both drive and determination to get to where she is today as Depot General Manager, turning round the depot which had previously been underperforming. Beginning her career as a part time clerk, in just twelve years Susan has undergone intensive personal development, putting her dedication into practice and winning Gold at their Customer First Awards earlier this year, the only winning depot to be managed by a woman. The awards are granted on a ‘right first time’ approach which ultimately keeps customers happiest. In addition, Susan is also accredited with accident reduction initiatives. Not only does Susan maintain and enforce these high standards, but colleagues regard her infectious personality and enthusiasm as a catalyst which inspires others to succeed.

Manjeet K Turner, Head of Marketing and Communications, Serco Docklands
Manjeet is personally responsible for high levels of customer satisfaction at Serco Docklands – over 97% during 2007, significantly higher than the target of 90%. In particular, Manjeet provides drive and determination which she channels into both internal and external communications and integrates with the local community. During the past two years, Manjeet has grown the DLR Community Ambassador scheme, which aims to reduce social isolation by liaising with local communities, to include five Community Ambassadors. This includes attending events, teaching people how to use ticket machines, holding safety talks, running accessibility trips and feeding back community concerns to the company. These Ambassadors are also involved in staff training which helps reduce barriers for local and ethnic minority women and encourages them to apply for positions within the company. She has even appointed two permanent supervisors, taking the team from five to ten. Manjeet has also introduced a comprehensive staff engagement and Communication programme, and, as a result, 95% of staff feel more valued as an employee.

The Warehousing Award
This award goes to the woman that is excelling at her role within a warehousing environment.

Anita Emerson, Warehouse Operations Manager, Knights of Old
Anita worked extremely hard to become the Warehouse Operations Manager at Knights of Old, having started out as an account administrator. She longed for the chance to prove herself to her Managing Director who has not looked back, as the company now boast the best performing warehouse in Europe. Anita is a key part of the management team who helped Knights of Old win the 2006 Motor Transport Haulier of the Year award. Anita has devoted herself to her clients and oversaw the induction of the company’s largest ever induction for Sealed Air Cryovac, implementing SAP radio frequency and warehouse control systems. She has excelled in the areas of operations, winning the respect of her colleagues, which is no mean feat due to the long hours the job demands and having to balance the needs of staff with the needs of the business.

Lynda Raymond, LB Warehousing
Having been made redundant at the age of 50, Lynda set up LB Warehousing, a third party service provider for the greeting cards industry, in 1999 with no turnover, no customers and no employees, except for her son. She has since grown the company and now employs 18 staff, handling over 12 million cards a year, growing at a rate of 20% per annum. Her unique approach to the business has enabled the company to charge a fair but slightly premium price, which encompasses the additional, ‘hands-on’ service that LB Warehousing provides. Clients attribute the company’s success to Lynda’s fantastic management and leadership skills and the fact that she is not afraid to ‘get her hands dirty’.

Claire Salmon, Southern Regional Manager, Boots The Chemist
Claire is responsible for nine distribution centres as well as the National Chill operation, and is currently in charge of uniting the two transport operations to maximise fleet usage and minimise costs. Claire met her steep targets to reduce sick leave and also managed to diminish accidents by 20% in the warehouse by re-invigorating the Company’s accidents policy. She has improved communications with stores, and implemented changes such as the LMS (Labour management system), which has increased warehouse productivity by 5%. In conjunction with her Transport team she has helped the company save almost £5.2 million through revising existing store delivery schedules. The existing Boots distribution network is about to enter a ramp down and closure period, and recognising the need to carefully manage change, she engaged a personal development company who specialise in LSI – Lifestyle Inventory, which enables staff to embrace the change. Colleagues praise her ability to relish each challenge and create a great environment for her staff.

Industry Trainer of the Year Award
This award goes to an individual demonstrating best practice in training and going beyond their line of duty to develop the skills of women coming into and working in the industry.

Mandy Bennett, Owner, Chaucer Freight Ltd
Mandy Bennett set up Chaucer Freight, to provide logistics globally, with a secondary focus on encouraging more women to work in the industry. She actively seeks to hire women and encourages them to undergo a comprehensive induction which is followed by a personal development plan. Chaucer Freight offers both internal and external training with annual appraisals and the opportunity to obtain qualifications. Many graduates who she personally trained from a young age are still working for the company. Chaucer has won the UKWA Trainee of the Year award for Terri Woodhall.

Tara McLuskie-Cunningham, Training Officer, Driver Training Wing Defence School of Transport
Recommended by many of her senior staff, Tara has excelled in her role as training officer to the armed forces. She has pioneered the unison of training across the three forces and in just a few years has almost doubled the volume of students who obtain their licence. Her day to day role involves co-ordinating 500 staff and 800 students, running a high quality programme with progress monitoring and feedback to obtain optimum results. Tara is praised for demonstrating determination and imagination alongside exceptional people skills, which is reflected by the fact that the Armed Forces provide nearly 50% of every C+E (articulated vehicle) drivers who qualifies throughout the UK annually, the vast majority of which pass through the Defence School of Transport.

Vicki Dixon, Acting Learning and Development Manager, FedEx Express
Vicki started working for FedEx 20 years ago as a customer service agent and has worked her way up the company to her current position. She has created, developed, and promoted many different training programmes to meet the business needs and demands of a diverse employee base throughout the company’s European, Middle East and African operations.
The programmes Vicki has developed has set new standards within the industry with qualifications and certifications that are recognised by governments and undertaken by other companies in the sector. She is praised by her colleagues for her ability to listen to their needs and find out what it is that they want from their career. Vicki is an exceptional training professional and working mother.

Company of the Year Award
This award goes to the company that has excelled at bringing about positive cultural change for women within their organisation.

Atkins

FedEx Express

Woman of the Year Award
This award will be selected by the judges from the finalists of our six categories listed above. It will be 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.