Remembering Penny Winder

Alpha Parking founder and skills development advocate passes away

Penny Winder, the founder of Alpha Parking, has passed away. She launched Alpha Parking in 2004 and over the next 20 years the company established itself as a key provider of traffic surveys and Traffic Order making services.

Winder was an advocate of skills development, leading to Alpha becoming a leading provider of training for people working in parking. She also launched the annual Spotlight on Parking seminar, which acts as a forum for discussing current trends in the sector.

Rukshar Asghar, operations manager at Alpha Parking, said: “Penny was cherished and respected by everyone, both as a colleague and as a friend. Her kindness, generosity and nurturing spirit touched us all, and we are immensely grateful for the privilege of having known and worked for her.”

Dear director, mentor, friend...

The Alpha Parking team pays tribute to Penny Winder

We are paying tribute to our dear director, Penny, whose passing has left us all deeply shocked and saddened. But Penny was more than a director to us. She was a leader. A mentor. A friend.

For those who don’t know, when Penny came into the parking industry over 20 years ago, there were very few women.

Her strength and determination to push through with Alpha Parking broke the mould and, as many found out, she was a force to be reckoned with. Her vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping the company into what it is today – a company which she was proud of and loved so dearly.

Anyone who worked for Penny knew her for her kindness, wit and supportive nature. She celebrated our successes and supported us through our struggles. She made herself available whether we needed advice or a friendly chat.

Some of our clients became “Friends of Alpha” and we are sure some of you, like us, enjoyed a little tipple with her.

Penny always threw a great Christmas party at the Beaujolais Restaurant in London, and we would often celebrate in the wine bar under our office after winning a contract.

We all know Penny loved her travels and was ever the adventurer. We loved to hear her exciting stories about what she saw in the art world, her history tours and her more out of the ordinary experiences, including having Christmas Dinner at a zoo in Australia!

Whilst she was away we always “held the fort” back in the office, ensuring we followed her clear instructions on how to care for her precious orchids.

To Penny’s family, we want you to know that she spoke of you often and with great pride. We share in your grief and are here to support you too.
Penny, you are gone too soon and will be deeply missed by us all. Your impact on our lives will never be forgotten. Thank you for the opportunities you gave us and for your wisdom and advice which we will carry forward. We will continue to honour your memory and legacy by striving for the excellence you always set us to achieve.

Rest in peace, Penny.

Your A-Team

Tributes to Penny Winder

People from across the world of parking share their thoughts and memories...

Angela O’Shea: Penny was a forerunner of professionalising parking and working with her to produce the first parking specific training for the back office was a highlight of my career I will always cherish.  Penny was an exceptional person, a true professional and a good friend with a fantastic sense of humour who will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Kam Hothi: Penny was such an amazing woman and achieved so much especially in the early days when parking was such a male dominated service, she really did break barriers. Having worked with her and Alpha since early 2010s I feel really sad, having gone through the same challenges. I spoke to her early December to have a catch up and we spoke for some time which I am really glad to have done so. May she rest in peace. My condolences to all the Alpha Parking team, I know you will all miss her.

Deborah Cooper: This is absolutely devastating news. I am so unbelievably sorry for your loss which I know must be shocking to you all as Penny was so influential to all of us. I loved my (dare I say it) boozy lunches with Penny where we would put the world of parking to rights whilst also offering each other support and guidance.

Rubena Hafiza: Thisis devasting news. I always loved Penny she was a shining light wherever she went, I am shocked as I did not know Penny was poorly. My heart goes out to you all as I know Penny would have held a very special place in all of your hearts.

Ian Coles: This has come as a shock and is such sad news. Having worked with Penny in our limited way over a good few years, I always found her a cheerful and likeable person, and it was always a good working relationship, just as it has been with yourself and your colleagues. Always keen to sponsor our events, Penny without exception provided a nice, positive energy, which was refreshing. I have no doubt that she will be so dearly missed, but this is a testament to her character. I could tell from the start that she was one of the nice people. Such folks are precious.

Nicola Keyworth-Wright: Thank you for letting me know this sad news. I first met Penny when I was new to the parking industry and attended a 3-day training course approximately 20 years ago. She was very supportive throughout my career and will be greatly missed.

Mark Moran: Penny was one of the truly good characters of the parking sector. Building Alpha Parking as a consultancy that was, and remains, an independent spirit was a real achievement. And I was impressed with how she created an environment that retained a team who she trusted to take the business forward.

Jason Conboy: I am very sorry to hear of Penny’s passing. Penny was always so kind and a joy to meet and network with at events over the years.

Adrian Purchase: Sad news indeed, Penny was lovely, we all loved her in the industry. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.

Gary Woolton: I am gutted to hear this and my condolences to each and everyone of you. I remember meeting Penny way back with I first got involved in discussions with Alpha around moving away from Bespoke to City & Guilds recognised services and a couple of times after that and they still stay in the memory. I know this will be tough on all of you, but I also know there will be some bright memories appearing also.

Andy Bracey: In my meetings with Penny she was always intelligent, relevant and funny. My condolences to all at Alpha and to the family.

Beverley Pharo: I’m so very sorry to hear this news, my thoughts are with Penny’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. Penny was always a lovely, friendly lady, a star who shone very brightly in the parking world and I’m sure she will be greatly missed.

Fiona Macey: Such sad news. Penny was one of the first people I met in the parking industry and was always very kind to me.

Sharon Taylor: Thank you for passing on this sad news. Please pass on our condolences to you all and to Penny’s family, from all who knew and respected her at Barnsley. Her knowledge will be missed.

Ann Cunningham: I am so sorry. Penny was a pleasure to work with. She will be missed by all of us.

Jason Benjamin: I knew Penny and worked with her at the Project Centre. She had a great sense of humour and a wonderful smile. She will be sadly missed!

Louise Parfitt: This is really sad news. Penny was a such a lovely person and had such passion for the industry and the people that work in it. She will be very much missed.

Christian Constantinides: I’m really saddened to hear about Penny. I met with her for a lunch post-COVID and she had some bright ideas for the future. Please pass on my condolences from all the team at Smart Transport Hub.

Alexis Newport: I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Thinking of Penny and you all at this time.

Owen Edwards: This is incredibly sad news. I’m so sorry to hear of Penny’s passing. I only met her a few times at our events but she was a lovely person to me and our team throughout our working relationship and played a big role in changing the way we tender our survey regions each year, thanks to one of her suggestions. Ruki, I know you and the rest of the Alpha Parking team will continue the fantastic work she started 20 years ago.

Keith and Rachel Banbury: I was so sorry to learn of Penny's passing. Both Rachel and I were pleased to have worked with Penny a few years ago in the development of Alpha and it is a tribute to her that the company has endured so well. Penny was a progressive force in the area of training in the sector and as you say she will be greatly missed. I wish Ruki well in continuing to manage the company as it moves forward.

Lorna Hogg: I am so sorry to hear your sad news. I met Penny a good few years ago at Parking World in London (at a cricket stadium – I don’t remember the name!). She was indeed lovely to talk to. Thinking of you all and her family and friends at this very difficult time.

Mark Downer: I first met Penny in about 2008, not long after we had commenced decriminalised parking on the Isle of Wight and can remember attending a parking management training course with her in Leeds in 2009. Happy Times.

Claire Crofts: I am so sorry to hear this news about Penny. She was a lovely person whom I first met when I became a CEO back in 2005. She attended the training course with Luke Harding. The team fondly called her “Penny with the boots” as she wore long boots.

Barry Francis: I am so sorry to learn of Penny’s passing. My condolences to her family and the team at Alpha. I’ve known Penny for almost 20 years and in that time she added so much to the parking industry and will be a huge loss. Future parking events simply won’t be the same without her there. I hope everyone is managing well during this sad time.

Freddie Mohammed: I am so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences to everyone. I had the pleasure of working directly with Penny when I was the Parking Manager at St Albans District Council. Her calm, knowledgeable and professional persona helped us greatly at the time when we were bringing the Parking Service in-house. I know that Penny will be missed.

Tamsin Marriott: I have fond memories of Penny topping up my wine glass when I wasn’t looking and wondering why I felt so tipsy, at a BPA awards function. She will be a sad loss to all who have worked with Alpha over the years.

Melissa Ashby: Really sad news. I have fond memories of working with Penny at courses and events.

Ben Stephens: This is truly very sad news. Such a kind and helpful lady with such a positive attitude always.

Andy Dunn: Thank you for making me aware of this sad news, which I’m sorry to hear.

Stewart Skene: Sincere condolences on the loss of Penny to all the team. She was a lovely lady and always a pleasure to chat and do business with.