Shining a Spotlight on Women in Transport and Logistics

5 May 2023

Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman, talks about the future of the industry and the 2023 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards.

Once again, we are approaching our annual everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards and every year it seems to come round faster than the last. Now in their 16th year, the awards celebrate the vital contribution women make to transport and logistics, showcasing their progression, accomplishments, and the increasing avenues of opportunity within a traditionally male-dominated industry. 

The transport and logistics industry has been intensely challenged over the past few years, with post-Brexit adjustments, the COVID-19 crisis throwing the sector into the spotlight as never before, subsequent challenges around international travel, and increased demand for online shopping and delivery services. 

With women making up 47% of the UK workforce, yet still only accounting for 20% of the people working in transport and logistics, and less than 1% of HGV drivers, tackling the lack of female recruits would be an invaluable resource to a pressurised industry.* The everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards play an important role in highlighting success stories, shifting perceptions and creating role models to inspire future female talent who may not see the industry as an option to them, whether that's in distribution, technical and operational roles, or leadership and management positions.

In our 2020 Impact Report, 99% of former award winners agreed that role models are a source of inspiration, a significant 76% agreed that their everywoman Award has positively impacted their career and 63% said it improved their personal and professional confidence, demonstrating the powerful impact that these awards have and the importance of role models for women in traditionally under-represented industries.

Last summer the awards were the largest yet, welcoming over 400 delegates to The Grosvenor Hotel in London, and we cannot wait to welcome this year’s finalists, winners, and industry stars at our new location, The Londoner, for the ceremony. This year, in recognition of the crucial sustainability goals across the sector, we have included a new category, the Sustainability Champion Award. This will be awarded to a woman or female-led team making an exemplary contribution to sustainability and environmental protection within a transport or logistics company. The dedication and necessity of sustainability in this field is clear, with this category receiving twice as many entries as the others. It’s brilliant to see so many inspirational women not only enter and thrive in an industry as a minority, but to also be so passionate and engrained in a wider positive social impact. The standard every year seems to exceed the last, and we are honoured and excited to be able to celebrate them and give them the recognition they deserve.

From apprentices to senior leaders – they are showcasing both the breadth of opportunities on offer and the vital contribution women make across all sectors of the industry, from freight and retail to automotive, maritime and air transport. These individuals not only make positive contributions to the businesses for which they work, but also encourage other women to achieve success by supporting and mentoring young female talent.

As an industry embedded in every aspect of our lives and businesses, it’s paramount that we not only attract and utilise the untapped potential of women with the industry, but also retain a diverse workforce to improve business collaboration, productivity, and performance. We will continue to do our part in both supporting more women in business by providing relevant leadership development and training, access to role models and networking, and by celebrating their achievements at our Awards. 

If you would like to attend the 2023 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards ceremony on 28th June 2023, please visit http://www.everywoman.com/tlawards

For more information, please visit www.everywoman.com or click here to book places for your future female talent on everywoman's leadership programmes

* Women in Transport