The 2022 everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards took place in London on 30 June. Deputy Editor David Jordan went along to join in the celebrations.
I’ve been to lots of awards ceremonies over the years and this one, on the face of it, was no different. All the usual ingredients were there; a posh London Hotel, lots of champagne and canapés and everyone dressed in their best bib and tucker. But as we took our seats for lunch in JW Marriott Grosvenor House’s spectacular ballroom, there was something special, something in the air, and it wasn’t just the perfume.
The everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards are now in their 15th year and are part of a range of initiatives, products and services from everywoman Ltd, a company that supports the advancement of women in business. It’s Co-Founders, Karen Gill MBE and Maxine Benson MBE, founded everywoman more than 20 years ago and as they took to the stage to welcome their 400+ guests to the show it was clear why they were so successful. The phrase ‘infectious enthusiasm’ is often misplaced, but in the case of Karen and Maxine, it is bang on the money, and the proceedings got off to a flying start.
The awards are open to all women working in the transport and logistics industry in the UK and Ireland and are divided into categories covering a wide range of activities. Two awards are made in each category, ‘Above and Beyond’, celebrates a woman that has truly gone above and beyond her role to help drive the organisation’s success at any stage of her career, and ‘Leader’ for a woman operating in a senior role within her organisation.
There is also an ‘International Inspiration Award’ presented to a woman working outside the UK and Ireland that is a role model for women in her community. The role of men is not forgotten either. The ‘Male Agent of Change Award’ recognises a man for his active commitment to advancing the progress of women working in transport and logistics. Finally, there is the ‘Woman of the Year Award’, presented to a woman who in the opinion of the judges has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.
With so many awards to get through it looked as though we might be there for the long haul, but thanks to the slick choreography of the organising team and acceptance speeches - which were often very moving – being strictly limited to 30 seconds, the energy level remained high right up to the end of what had been an entertaining and truly inspirational afternoon.
Entries for next year’s competition will open later this year, so if there is a woman in your organisation who deserves recognition for her efforts and you’re based in the UK or Ireland, why not nominate her for an award? It’s free to enter so what have you got to lose?
For a full list of this year’s everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards winners click here.
Photo: This year’s Transport & Logistics Awards winners flanked by Maxine Benson MBE on the left and Karen Gill MBE on the right.