Achievements of women working in transport recognised

Winners of 2017 FTA everywoman in Transport Logistics revealed

Women working in passenger transport are among the winners in the 2017 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, which took place at the Marriot Hotel in London's Grosvenor Square last night.

The awards programme was first launched to raise awareness of the varied opportunities within transport and logistics, while creating visible role models to inspire and encourage more women to pursue a career in the industry.

Maxine Benson, co-founder of everywoman, said: “The role models celebrated today, from women excelling at the beginning of their career to those well-established in their journey, are a reflection of the many rewarding opportunities within the transport and logistics industry.”

The awards are sponsored by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). David Wells, chief executive officer, FTA said: “The logistics industry is one of the UK’s most important, employing more than 2.54m people across the country and ensuring that all aspects of our economy continue to work as efficiently as possible.

“At such a time of great change and economic uncertainty, we need to inspire young people and showcase aspirational role models – our finalists today certainly fit the bill.  The teenagers of today are the transport managers and logistics directors of tomorrow and these awards will help us to raise the profile of our sector throughout the country, as well as rewarding those who have shown exceptional dedication and ability.”

To mark the programme’s 10^th anniversary, the new saw two women recognised in each category: one going above and beyond in her role and one making a positive impact as a successful leader.

 

2017 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards

The Passenger Award

• Above & Beyond - Victoria Garcia, accessibility and communities officer, Brighton & Hove Buses
• Leader - Michelle Hargreaves, managing director, Stagecoach East Midlands

The Freight Award

• Above and Beyond - Tracy Ward, contract manager, PD Ports
• Leader - Jannette Wallace, Runcorn depot manager, CM Downton

The Infrastructure Award

• Above & Beyond - Caroline Milnes, programme manager, Tesco
• Leader - Sue Kershaw, managing director, KPMG

The Supply Chain Award

• Above & Beyond - Jeny Hanvey, customer service manager, Kuehne + Nagel
• Leader - Gillian Joyce, former national fleet manager, Post Office

The Warehousing Award

• Above & Beyond - Claire Davidson, senior project manager, logistics implementation, J Sainsbury’s
• Leader - Angela Howard, VP operations, retail, DHL Supply Chain

The Industry Champion Award - Jacqueline O'Donovan, managing director, O'Donovan Waste Disposal

Focus on the Passenger Award

Victoria Garcia, who received the Above & Beyond Award, has worked for Brighton & Hove buses for seven and a half years. She is responsible for directly meeting and engaging with the community and accessibility groups to find out what their needs are before challenging herself to shape the company to fit them. She led work on a Taxi Guarantee scheme for wheelchair users unable to board a bus and the Helping Hand scheme, which has caught the eye of a government minister for potential national implementation. She has also co-created, with community groups, a non-branded discreet card that advises drivers of any extra assistance a passenger might need.

The jury said: “Victoria’s work has helped Brighton & Hove Buses to better appreciate the valuable skills women bring, which has had a knock-on effect on company culture, helping female colleagues recognise their value.”

“I have the best job in the world with the best bosses and I’m just doing what I love,” she said. “So to then receive such a prestigious award for doing something I love is nothing short of striking gold. 

Garcia, a mother of three, has overseen a plethora of accessibility initiatives. Brighton & Hove Buses is one of only a few bus companies in the country to offer a taxi guarantee scheme for wheelchair users unable to board a bus. The bus company pioneered the Helping Hand scheme, which Garcia co-created with community groups as a non-branded, discreet card that advises drivers of any extra assistance a passenger might need.

The company offers individuals a travel buddy scheme and depot tours and groups ‘drama on the bus’ (in partnership with Grace Eyre), role-playing activity to help adults with learning disabilities gain confidence on the bus.

All drivers are trained in empathy skills: to treat passengers the same as they would their own family. In the first initiative of its kind in the UK, Brighton & Hove Buses has trained employees to train others in My Guide techniques that give them a practical understanding of accessibility issues such as experiencing boarding a bus on a wheelchair or wearing RNIB glasses. And a third of all employees have taken up the opportunity offered to become a ‘Dementia Friend’.

Garcia has even worked directly with bus manufacturers to replace a fixed pole with a pull-down version for the wheelchair area of all buses after users said it obstructed their access. All Brighton & Hove Buses have audio-visual announcements and are low-floor wheelchair-accessibl. All its new buses have dementia-safe floor colours and are fitted with white screen destination boards.

She has been instrumental in leading the company to become the first bus operator to trial hearing ‘loops’ for hearing aid users on board buses. The company also changed its policy by removing electric wheelchair ramps to return to manual ones after discovering the mechanical ones were prone to breaking down.

“Really this is our MD Martin Harris’ accolade,” Garcia said. “The great work I’ve had the privilege of doing has been down to his desire to make bus travel easy and convenient for everyone. He’s given me the long rope to go out there and really engage with communities so we can develop the sort of bus service that our customers want and ensure our buses are accessible for all.”

Brighton & Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “We’re not just here to provide a very good bus service but to add value to the community – of which we’re an essential part – by supporting its economic, environmental and social objectives. Victoria’s work has influenced and shaped not just our understanding of these communities but our role and responsibilities within it. Victoria absolutely deserves this award. She’s such a credit to the company and has earned this through sheer hard work.” 

The Leader Award was presented to Michelle Hargreaves, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands. This company the region’s largest bus operator. It has an annual turnover of £63m, runs 500 buses, employs 1,300 staff and carries 49m passengers each year over 21 million miles of bus services. She heads up a management team covering eight depot sites in Lincoln, Hull, Grimsby, Skegness, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Mansfield and Worksop 

She is credited with transforming the marketing of the business by engaging communities using the local depot teams responsible for delivering bus services to run face-to-face events designed to draw out customer feedback.

The jury said: “Michelle has personally reviewed working practices at all locations to introduce more flexible working, better terms and conditions and to improve overall staff welfare facilities without adversely impacting on costs. Under her direct leadership, women have now fulfilled two key management roles.”