WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY.. GIRL POWER!
THE NEED TO BEEF UP FEMALE NUMBERS IN THE INDUSTRY
As with somany other professions over the years, the private hire and taxi industry has very few active members who are women. We’re talking about not only drivers, but also women in management and operator base staff: directors, operators, controllers. So why is this exactly?
We turn to the Director of what was known until recently as the RoadRunners Group – now re-branded as Shuttl Me - based in Redhill, Rachel Beckett, for her slant on the situation. Rachel’s background is in bus transport, having completed the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company gradu- ate scheme in 2014-2015 and then progressing to the role of Coaching Team Leader in January 2015.
tial whilst balancing life both as drivers and in more senior business roles.
“At the ‘We Are the City Rising Stars 2018’ I was nominated in the Facilities, Property and Construction Class. The transport industry has not gained its own category yet but I am hopeful for 2019!
“Over 2000 nominations were narrowed down to ten per category to leave 100 women across a range of sectors. The win- ner of each category was announced in June but despite not winning, to be in the top ten and the only transport nominee is a great achievement.
“At the recent ‘We Are the City’ nominees reception it stood out to me that every other sector has a female support group. This is designed to allow women at all stages of their career journey to reach out to one another for advice and support when needed and to celebrate achievements when they occur. I am therefore looking for other females in the industry who want to join me in setting up this support group.
Rachel spent 18 months rebuilding that part of the business and rebranding it under Spir- it of Sussex, which can be seen operating across the Brighton and wider Sussex area today. During this time Rachel was nominat- ed and won the FTA Women in Transport Rising Star Award and she hopes to win one of the more senior awards in 2019.
Rachel joined the RoadRunners Group in December 2017 with a vision of expanding what is already a well established player in Sussex and Surrey to a wider regional force and then beyond. Shuttl Me are investing heavily in driver training, a brand new com- puter system and expansion of their customer account support to develop this growth; Rachel’s dream is to do this with more and more women on board.
INCREASED DIVERSITY s Rachel says: “When I entered the private
hire world it became clear that it was still a very male dominated environment and I want to see it become more diverse, as in the bus industry increased diversity has only ever seen positive results. I want to see more women join what is a flexible and enjoyable role with decent earning poten-
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I wish to promote the work I am doing around women in senior roles and female drivers. I want to see women embrace an industry which for too long has been stereotyped as a man's world. I am fortu- nate to have three committed, engaging and skilled women drivers currently operat- ing for Shuttl Me, as well as some wonderful female telephonists, but I want to see this number grow to at least ten per cent over the next two years.”
THE RIGHT FORMULA IN THE NORTH WEST
We next swing up Manchester way – well, Salford actually – to chat with Glenys Glover, Director of Mainline 7s Private Hire. Glenys has been in the industry for over 35 years, and provides solid evidence that women can succeed in this male-dominated trade. Here is her story:-
“In the early eighties I had two vehicles that I was renting to drivers in Salford and then I decided to get my own badge. I found the industry to be male dominated but did not see this as a barrier to success and I obtained an operator’s licence. I openedmy first office, in Cottenham Lane, Salford in November 1983.
“I had thought that this would be easy…… the reality was in complete contrast!
“The business started with two cars plus myself, I added another driver on day one and another on day two. In the early days the drivers were paid an hourly rate to ensure customers’ requirements were met; however eventually through hard work, often day and night, our reputation and business developed enough that drivers were earning enough to pay a radio rent and track vehicles as necessary.
CONTINUED GROWTH
“The business grew gradually, supported by loyal and hardworking drivers and in 1986 we moved to new premises in Ford Lane, Salford, with approximately 50 drivers. Through reputation and acquisition, we continued to develop and grow the busi- ness and became a limited company in 1987. I acquired Simtax and Rialto Cars to add to the fleet and then in 1991 also acquired Lion Cars. Lion Cars was owned by Loretta Smith who also joined us, and who remains a loyal and committed colleague and is also Company Secretary.
“The business continued to grow and after acquiring Dolphin Cars in 2001 we remained at this level. This allowed time to develop systems and consolidate the busi- ness. In 2010 we merged with ‘5050’ and I entered into partnership with Les Caffery. We entered a busy time following this with further acquisitions and the relocation to new premises, which allowed for expansion of the call centre and included an integral garage and bodyshop. The garage and its associated functions are managed by Kelly Caffery and this department plays an important role in maintaining and manag- ing our fleet.
“Since the move we have made further acquisitions; this has allowed us to operate
OCTOBER 2018
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