10/03/2025
In celebration of International Women's Day, Saturday 8 March, we asked a few of the many women in senior roles across Oakland International Ltd for their thoughts and reflections on the occasion, and what it means to them to inspire the next generation of women in logistics.
Lynne Pearson, Transport Manager: means it is time to speed up the process of empowering women as we need to obtain genetic parity in what is still considered a male dominated
industry. This can only be done through training and support.
At Oakland we are leading the way in embracing initiatives to drive more women through and it helps that we have a leadership team here who really buy into that.
Women need strong role models and for me it was a female boss in my previous company – she was a director of the business and instilled in me the importance of time management and prioritising, and that has stayed me. I have also had two strong male role models in my life - my dad, who had an incredible work ethic in providing for his family and my brother Martin, who also is a managing director here at Oakland, and who has always encouraged me and inspired me to be the best I can.
Anna Petit, Commercial Manager: My work is challenging and rewarding but I love the opportunity to to drive growth and directly impact company success. It involves strategic thinking, problem-solving, and strong communication skills in a bid to identify new opportunities. Sales are the lifeblood of any company and it is vital to persevere, adapt and be of a results-driven mindset.
Women are still underrepresented in top management roles but we can achieve more with confidence, expertise, tenacity, and strong leadership. For me it is all about fostering strong relationships, advocating for inclusivity, and continuously expanding my own industry knowledge to drive meaningful results.
Personally I am an advocate for mentoring and supporting other women in the field, promoting diversity and equal opportunities for growth. It is important we lead by example and challenge the status quo to create a more inclusive environment for future generations of women.
I have met several inspiring female role models in my time but have also been influenced by leaders - male and female - who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and strong ethical values. Through direct mentorship, or by observing them, I have learned the importance of adaptability, clear communication, and strategic decision-making - skills I now use in my own leadership approach.
Nicola Harris, Group HR Director: For me, means sharing knowledge, encouraging women to reach their potential to leave them happy and fulfilled. The best leaders recognise success is personal. Empowering success requires leaders to be inquisitive, intuitive and inclusive. They need to break down unconscious bias, celebrate wins and losses and nurture an environment that embraces difference.
I love being someone who naturally embraces and seeks out change. There was map to take me from secretary/PA to Global HR leader. At 30, I studied part-time for my degree whilst working and becoming a mum and was driven by ambition, personal resilience and a sense of adventure. It really was ‘a leap of faith’.
My mother is my role model = her zest for life and her spirit. In the mid-1950's she worked in a typing pool at a steel manufacturers where her father worked. She was dogged in seeking out a tour of the factory floor so she could understand what she was typing meant in practice. Women weren't allowed on the factory floor back then but that didn't stop her!
How times have changed - 70 years on - it is our duty to continue for the benefit of society as a whole.
Demelza Prothero, DLM Customer Excellence Manager: I entered this industry as a woman wanting to make an impact in both my professional and personal life. I have a young family and wanted to put them first but doubted I could do both to my standards. I jumped at this opportunity as I wasn't being challenged enough at my previous role despite my senior management experience. Here I could do more and add more value and now I am relishing taking the DLM (Distress Load Management) to another level.
I have never been intimidated by working with men. I've worked in all sorts of environments in the past and I grew up in a house with brothers as siblings, so I'm used to being outnumbered.
I believe let your work and results speak for themselves. Build a strong relationship with everyone at every level - you never know when you will require their help.
When it comes to role-models, my former manager Carly was a huge influence in pushing me to do things I didn't know I was capable of. She challenged me and I grew - after all you don't grow in comfortable places. She helped me find my strengths and weaknesses, my resilience and my competitive edge.
Ana, Stock Control, Knottingley: On International Women's Day I am honoured to stand as a leader at Oakland International and recognise the incredible contribution of women within our organisation and beyond . This year’s theme reminds us of the progress we’ve made, the challenges we continue to overcome and the limitless potential of women given the opportunity to thrive.
To me, accelerate action means that I have a responsibility not only to support and uplift the women around me, but also to lead by example. Leadership is not just about titles it’s about influence, impact and integrity.
Here we are proud to champion a workplace where women thrive, lead, and break barriers. But our journey doesn’t stop here and leadership is not about gender to determinate success.
Together let’s continue to create a stronger, more inclusive Oakland International. One where women rise, lead and thrive.
Oakland International is strategically located within the UK; Redditch (HQ), Corby, Bardon, Knottingley and Skelmersdale. And Dublin, Ireland.
