Excellence delivered: Winners announced for everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards

The transport and logistics industry’s most exceptional women have been recognised at the 2025 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, in association with bp. The prestigious ceremony in London, attended by industry leaders, was the biggest to date and sold out. It marked the 18th year of this landmark programme celebrating women who are reshaping the sector through groundbreaking leadership, innovation and vision.

The awards aim to inspire the next generation of female talent to pursue careers in this dynamic sector by spotlighting the diverse pathways at every career stage. Despite progress being made to close the gender gap, women account for only a quarter (26%) of the transport industry’s 1.5 million employees^[1] and 20% of the two million people working in logistics and warehousing^[2].

This year’s awards reflected the industry’s changing priorities, with a growing focus on automation and sustainability. It also introduced an exciting new Entrepreneur category, recognising visionary women carving their own paths in the industry. This recognition comes at a critical time as the sector continues to grapple with systemic challenges, including an 11% gender pay gap^[1], while women also remain scarce in leadership roles in the industry^[3].

Maxine Benson, co-founder at everywoman, comments: “This year’s cohort of inspiring finalists and winners demonstrates the huge variety of ways in which women are driving innovation and growth in this pivotal sector. From spearheading sustainability initiatives and automation projects to launching groundbreaking enterprises, these women are not just participating in the industry’s evolution, they’re leading it. Their inspiring stories demonstrate the wealth of opportunities available to the next generation of female talent.”

The everywoman Woman of the Year Award went to Heather Waugh, Rapid Deployment Train Driver at Freightliner, and the only female freight train driver in Scotland. Airdrie-based Heather’s extraordinary dedication to the industry sees her devote over 1,000 personal hours a year to promote and champion the sector in schools, events and on panels, and volunteer and fundraise for charity. All this is on top of working long, challenging hours in a job with no access to communications, meaning every activity is organised in her own time.

Instead of complaining about issues, she is committed to changing the system. She campaigned to improve conditions for women working in the freight industry by getting female toilets installed. After witnessing how drivers can struggle with their mental health she campaigned to get them better support. Heather remains a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and is a volunteer with Samaritans, supporting them with case studies and featuring in a video promoting their suicide prevention training courses to encourage others in the sector to sign up. Heather is on the steering group for Rail Wellbeing Live and has been appointed a trustee of Women in Rail.

When it comes to fundraising, Heather unites the sector to support good causes through the Railway Family Fundraiser, an initiative she launched. It has raised over £100,000 in just over three years through a variety of inclusive events involving over 60 rail companies. By rallying the industry, significant sums have been donated to Ukrainian Railways, a school in Cambodia, Andy’s Man Club, White Ribbon and Railway Mission.

The 2025 awards recognised outstanding achievement across multiple categories, including Apprentice of the Year, Industry Champion, International Inspiration, Male Agent of Change, Sustainability Champion, Tech Innovator and the new Entrepreneur Award. Additional categories celebrated dual winners, honouring both exceptional leadership and outstanding dedication that went above and beyond expectations.

THE 2025 WINNERS ARE: 

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Wincanton: 

• Amelia Warren, Mechatronics Apprentice at Amazon, from Nottinghamshire

Amelia is deeply committed to supporting greater visibility for women in engineering and helping to create pathways for more young women to enter and thrive in the field. For International Women in Engineering Day she organised a showcase event where over 40 female engineering apprentices from multiple companies attended to grow their network and hear from senior women in engineering. She has a strong passion for problem solving and hands-on work, and finds real satisfaction in tackling technical challenges. She is nearing the completion of her apprenticeship program.

The Entrepreneur Award – sponsored by Amazon Freight Partner: 

• Alisha Fredriksson, CEO & Co-Founder at Seabound, from London

Alisha is a pioneering entrepreneur tackling one of the hardest sectors to reduce carbon emissions in — the maritime shipping industry. She co-founded Seabound, a climate technology company focused on developing onboard carbon capture systems for ships, leading the charge in decarbonising an industry responsible for 3% of global emissions. Women represent less than 2% of the global maritime workforce, but alongside female co-founder Roujia Wen, Alisha is committed to changing this by actively promoting women in technical and leadership roles and encouraging more women to enter climate innovation and shipping.

The Industry Champion Award – sponsored by bp: 

• Rachel Gilbey, Managing Director at Wincanton, from Nuneaton

During her 20 years with Wincanton, Rachel has enjoyed various roles across the business and has created a culture of excellence within her team in General Merchandise. Rachel champions equality within the sector and business with passion and authenticity. She is a dedicated advocate for supporting women in logistics, tackling the gender gap in the sector. Rachel has mentored female colleagues who are previous recipients of everywoman award recognition. The way that Rachel balances her operational and people responsibilities is exceptional, and her unique leadership style and talent was celebrated in the Grocer Magazine ‘Power List’ where she appeared as one of the UK’s top 10 women shaking up supply chains.

International Inspiration Award – sponsored by WCAworld 

• Zofia Sobiech, Deployment Readiness Manager at Amazon, from Luxembourg

Zofia’s dynamic career exemplifies versatility and continuous growth in logistics and technology. Beginning in operations at Amazon Poland, she transitioned to an engineering team where she specialised in technology deployment across fulfillment centers. Her expertise led her to procurement, and she played a role in supporting the creation of the largest air hub in North America. She currently leads a 15-person team in Deployment Readiness, scaling cutting-edge technologies across logistics facilities. Zofia champions women’s advancement in technology through the Women in Operations employee-led group in Amazon, reaching hundreds of women across EU, and initiating and executing high-impact programmes.

Male Agent of Change – sponsored by Asda: 

• Rob Fletcher, SRDC Operations Manager at PepsiCo, from Leicester

Rob’s advocacy for female talent goes beyond saying the right words. He listens, adapts and has a passion to make PepsiCo a better place for women. Rob took it upon himself to start roundtables with female staff, using their feedback to implement workwear that is better suited for women and reviewing flexible hours to aid recruitment. Rob has also been instrumental in the ‘She is PepsiCo’ campaign, using an internal trailer to support and advertise the company’s frontline female talent. He has also undertaken a reverse mentoring role to better understand what working life is like for the younger generation as they enter the business.

The Tech Innovator Award – sponsored by Amazon: 

• Diane Gilpin, Founder & CEO at Smart Green Shipping, from Glasgow

Diane has been a pioneer in the tech industry for more than 30 years. Over the last decade she has found her calling tackling one of the biggest challenges we’re facing — the climate crisis. Diane leads a cross-sector collaboration that has designed, built and demonstrated an intelligent, lightweight retrofittable wingsail, FastRig, to accelerate decarbonisation of global shipping. SGS will be installing FastRigs commercially from 2026, and is this year focusing on building a global supply chain and expanding the team. Diane is driven by her belief that even a small dent in the global shipping industry will fundamentally move the needle on climate change.

Sustainability Champion Award – sponsored by DSV: 

• Kate Samuels, Policy Officer at Sustrans, from Glasgow

Kate has been instrumental in advocating for more accessible and inclusive infrastructure to support walking, wheeling and cycling to reduce emissions. Kate’s passion for creating healthier, greener communities is evident in her efforts to influence policy and drive change at both local and national levels where she has worked with over 100 politicians. She is a mentor at Women in Transport where she supports and develops careers of young women in the sector.

The Customer/Passenger Award – sponsored by PepsiCo: 

Above & Beyond:

• Carys Thomas, Safety Audit Manager at Great Western Railway, from Newport

Outside of her professional role, Carys has been actively involved in volunteer initiatives. She has served as an apprentice mentor and was the Rail Ambassador Manager for Young Rail Professionals West Region, organising events such as STEM “Girls into Rail” simulator sessions. She was a committee member for the LGBTQIA+ Aspect Network and was twice recognised as Envision Mentor of the Year for supporting young learners in environmental projects. Carys has contributed to community initiatives by developing safety-themed colouring sheets and leading accessibility projects. This includes creating “Try a Train” workbooks and authoring the bilingual children’s book “Rupee and Sushi Travel by Train”.

Leader:

• Laura Hay, Senior Director, Global Program Management at Trax Technologies, from Glasgow

Laura has more than 25 years of experience in strategic consulting, sales, and customer engagement. She excels at driving customer success and delivering measurable value for Fortune 500 companies. She specialises in optimising global supply chains, reducing risks, and driving efficiency through data-driven solutions. She is committed to creating opportunities for women in transport and logistics, helping to shape a more inclusive industry. She has hosted webinars on women in the supply chain and participated in industry panels to address barriers to entry for women in logistics.

The Freight Award – sponsored by Maersk: 

Above & Beyond:

• Laura Morgan, General Manager, Head of Customs at DSV Road Ltd, from London

Laura’s journey with DSV began in 2021, initially joining on a temporary basis while furloughed from her aviation career. With a diverse career spanning roles as a cabin crew member, scuba diving guide, whale-watching guide, and pub manager, Laura’s unique professional journey has equipped her with unparalleled problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. Laura has consistently gone the extra mile, focusing on enhancing productivity through comprehensive training programmes and innovative solutions. Under her guidance, the department’s efficiency skyrocketed. Laura is a strong believer in empowering women in the workplace, and 53% of her team are female.

Leader:

• Chloe Docherty, Director at AGI Global Logistics, from Newcastle

Chloe has been with AGI for just over three years, having joined the team as a Business Development Manager in December 2021. She now oversees a team of seven colleagues, spanning the Sales and Operations functions, and it’s in leading her team where Chloe really shines. Her management of customer and supplier relationships makes her an integral part of the team, and she has brought on board countless new customers, and developed a series of key accounts. Colleagues view Chloe as an incredibly talented individual, with a wealth of knowledge and experience – they say if there’s something about logistics that Chloe doesn’t know, it’s probably not worth knowing!

The Infrastructure Award – sponsored by Go-Ahead London: 

Above & Beyond:

• Alina Lixandru, Associate Director at AtkinsRéalis, from Manchester

Alina is a versatile Civil Engineer with 11 years’ experience in the UK and Eastern Europe construction industry, demonstrating that engineering is a vital link between science and society. She utilises her expertise to continuously seek ways to improve and streamline processes for the benefit of her team, clients and projects. With her strong focus on people and culture, she is encouraging women to believe in themselves and advance in their careers.

Leader:

• Amanda Fraser, Senior HR Manager UK & IE at Customs Support Group, from Suffolk

Amanda is a dedicated Senior HR Manager with over eight years of experience in the logistics industry and 15 years in the public sector. An Associate CIPD member, she excels in creating fair and cohesive work environments. Amanda has played a pivotal role in integrating over ten new UK and IE offices, ensuring fair contracts and equal opportunities for all staff. Her commitment to mental health and rising star opportunities within the industry highlights her as a valued leader and advocate for positive change.

The Supply Chain Award – sponsored by Unipart: 

Above & Beyond:

• Claire Lapsley, Operations Manager at Amazon, from Newcastle upon Tyne

Claire’s commitment to community impact is evident in her leadership of local outreach programs, mentoring aspiring female leaders, and driving sustainability projects that benefit the business and the surrounding community. A Christmas Campaign led by Claire resulted in 17,000 Christmas presents, supporting over 2,000 families and children under 18. Claire also launched a Youth Employment Program, enabling nine young people to gain employment at Amazon, and providing The Junction charity with £25,000 in funding. By addressing systemic barriers, Claire has demonstrated the power of compassionate and strategic leadership. Her ability to balance the demands of a fast-paced operational environment with the complexities of a large-scale community project reflects her resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Leader:

• Kate Yates, Head of Marketing EMEA at SEKO Logistics, from London

Kate joined Crane Worldwide in its early years in 2012 to drive growth in Europe. With her global operations and commercial background, she has helped to deliver commercial activity through online lead generation. She owns the Logistics Network and Shipping Network LinkedIn groups, with over 200,000 and 50,000 members respectively. Kate participates in Crane Cares charity initiatives and drives these on a global level, as well as using her position to educate the supply chain community of the challenges that women face in the industry and to enhance the visibility of women in the workplace.

The Warehousing Award – sponsored by FedEx Express: 

Above & Beyond:

• Magdalena Ahmad, Depot Operations Manager at Wincanton, from London

Wincanton’s Greenford campus is populated with developing managers who have grown their careers under Magdalena’s stewardship. Magdalena launched Wincanton’s People Campus in Greenford to give workers the opportunity to broaden horizons and develop new experiences. She has been an inspiration to other women in logistics who have seen her progress and the opportunities available for them to develop their own careers. Magdalena has always looked to develop and recruit women within the business.

Leader:

• Sarah Kaye, General Manager at The Co-op Group, from South Normanton

Sarah has led a project to revitalise recruitment and staff retention, championing the use of technology and data to make better decisions and provide insight. The project has already shown positive results. Key to the success has been Sarah’s inclusive and indomitable spirit. She has dealt with many obstacles but provided clear and consistent communication with all key stakeholders.

Maxine Benson MBE, and Karen Gill MBE, co-founders of everywoman, comment: “Our winners are authentic role models whose achievements will inspire newcomers in the transport and logistics industry. Their stories highlight an extraordinary depth of talent, from apprentices to CEOs and every role in between. This sector offers limitless pathways for growth and innovation, and we know that every one of the finalists will continue to empower other women to pursue their ambitions with unwavering confidence and determination.”

Stella Brenninkmeijer, Vice President Strategic Corporates at bp, comments: “At bp, we are proud to once again support the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards, which shine a vital spotlight on the remarkable women transforming this sector. These awards not only celebrate individual excellence and resilience but also demonstrate the growing momentum for change across the industry. Congratulations to this year’s winners, whose stories of innovation, leadership and vision inspire us to continue challenging the status quo and driving progress for generations to come.”

1. Women In Transport Equity Index.

2. Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association: Celebrating Women in Warehouse and Logistics.

3. Women in Transport: Empowering Women Leaders in Logistics.The post Excellence delivered: Winners announced for everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards first appeared on Warehouse & Logistics News.