Grace Steward
Page 58
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"A difficult job in a man's world" is how Grace Steward, director of the Yorkshire haulage company of GS Road Services Ltd, sees her role. But her drivers reckon that she is the equal of any man in the industry.
In terms of years, Grace has not been involved in road haulage all that long. She joined the company when it was Laker's Road Transport about 15 years ago. Originally she was engaged as a secretary but as time went on she took over more and more responsibility till, when the company was taken over and changed its name about three years ago, she was running the show.
Now a director, she is responsible for finding traffic, negotiating rates, instructing drivers and seeing the vehicles are properly maintained, not to mention the responsibility she bears for the company's financial wellbeing.
Recognition of Grace's expertise in road haulage company management has come from the Institute of Traffic Administration whose invitation to become an Associate Member she has recently accepted.
One innovation she has no time for is tachographs. Grace considers, that the installation of tachographs is too redolent of distrust of drivers. Of her own staff she says that she has found that treated properly, the average driver will not let his boss down and often he will use his own initiative to help deliver the goods. She sees the tachograph as an instrument which might jeopardize that helpful attitude and prefers to rely on her own judgment to employ a willing employee.
Like many other managers in the industry she finds little time for pursuits unrelated to the job. She will admit; if pressed, that she and her husband devote what time they can spare to the welfare of those less fortunate than themselves through service with the local branch of the Lions.
Married, with two sons, and now a grandmother though it is hard to believe, Grace says that she has managed to imbue her husband with an enthusiasm for road transport though his job is far removed from the field.
J.J.