A pivotal event took place as Maritime UK, in partnership with Women in Transport and with the generous sponsorship of Hill Dickinson, hosted a landmark summit at Hill Dickinson’s City of London offices. This event stood out as a prominent highlight of London International Shipping Week 2023, where it brought into focus essential challenges and opportunities related to gender diversity within the UK’s transport sector.
Key Findings Illuminate the Landscape:
Diverse Roles: The study’s revelations underscored a notable phenomenon within the transport sector. A substantial portion of women in this industry are actively engaged in non-transport roles, predominantly in areas such as Human Resources and Administration. This finding highlights the multifaceted nature of women’s contributions within the sector.
Underrepresented Leadership: The statistics uncovered during the summit were thought-provoking. Only 25% of the workforce within transport organizations identify as female, and a mere 29% of them have ascended to senior positions. These figures underscore the pressing need to bridge the gender gap in leadership roles, providing women with more significant opportunities to shape the sector’s future.
Gender Pay Gap: Another critical insight revealed during the summit was the status of gender pay gap reviews. Alarmingly, only 32.7% of organizations had conducted a gender pay gap review in the past year. This revelation underscores the importance of greater transparency and the urgent necessity for equitable remuneration practices.
Scarlett Black, Head of the People Programmes at Maritime UK, conveyed her excitement, expressing, “We are thrilled to continue celebrating the achievements of our outstanding Women in Maritime Network.” Her sentiment reflects the industry’s recognition of the invaluable contributions made by women in maritime.
Deborah Layde, Chair of the Women in Maritime Network, struck an optimistic note, stating, “The tide is turning; this is a wonderful time for women.” Her words resonate with the growing sense of progress and positive change within the sector.
Sue Terpilowski, Women in Transport Lead for the Equity Index, boldly proclaimed, “The Equity Index will serve as our guiding light as we chart a course towards a future characterized by inclusivity and equal opportunity.” Her declaration reflects the determination of Women in Transport to lead the way towards a more equitable future for all.
Sonya Byers, CEO of Women in Transport, added a clarion call to action, declaring, “This Summit, along with the accompanying Equity Index, represents more than just a snapshot of our current situation; they serve as a roadmap guiding us towards the destination of equality. It’s time to translate data into actionable strategies for meaningful change.” Her words echo the urgency of turning insights into tangible steps towards gender equality.
This collaborative effort between Maritime UK and Women in Transport promises to drive positive change and foster a more inclusive and equitable future for the maritime and transport sectors in the UK.
