HAS BEING FEMALE IN A MALE-DOMINATED SECTOR HINDERED OR HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
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AP: Overall, being a female in the industry has been more of a help than a hindrance – I get invited to many prestigious events, everybody remembers my name and I often get sat next to the most important person in the room. Mrs Thatcher set the scene for ladies, and the press love to write about them. The old boys’ network I remembered as a girl has largely disappeared now.
NK: I truly believe the transport industry is one of the most non-sexist industries in the UK. I certainly do not feel that being a woman has hampered my career and, nowadays, it is a positive advantage as I am instantly recognisable in a sea of black dinner jackets. I learnt very early on never to wear black and white at a function, lest someone thrust a glass in my hand and demand a gin and tonic.
HD: I think that it’s not about gender, rather the sort of person that you are, and the type of personality that you have. It is not for the faint-hearted, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry was actually a benefit. Although I ran the risk of being judged more harshly, people would be so surprised to see a woman in a senior position that I would get their attention, giving me the opportunity to win them round to the Pall-Ex model.
GS: I have to admit that I have had the opposite of the glass ceiling for most of the time during my career. There were so few woman at director level, once you became involved with transport organisations such as the then CIT or FTA, it was almost an unfair advantage as long as you knew what you were talking about concerning the industry and were willing to contribute to discussions. This often resulted in quick promotion, and I eventually became a UK board member of both.