Helen Halpin, regional operations manager of Bulky Bob’s has won the woman of the year award, at this year’s MAN everywoman in transport and logistics awards, run in association with Skills for Logistics.
The event held at the Grosvenor Marriott Hotel in London aims to encourage and celebrate the achievements of women making their mark in the traditionally masculine sector.
The woman of the year award is specifically to recognise women who stand out as role models to aspiring female logistics professionals.
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Halpin, pictured, was a part of the team that initially set up Bulky Bob’s, a company that collects, re-uses and recycles bulky household waste under local authority contracts. She started as office supervisor, and moved on to FRC group transport leader. She passed her CPC first time and went on to manage a team of forty drivers and trainees plus a fleet of 7.5 tonne vehicles. She has subsequently taken charge of two warehouses, two admin teams, the Group Operations Licence and been promoted to regional operations manager.
Co-founder and director of Everywoman Maxine Benson said: “Helen is a huge inspiration to other women wanting to work or further their careers in the industry.”
Anne Preston MBE, chairman of Prestons of Potto was awarded the director of the year award. Theo de Pencier, chief executive of FTA who presented the award, said: “Annie has been a mentor and inspiration to generations of women and men in the transport industry, particularly in the North of England. She is fun and feisty, but above all, possessed of a first class business brain which has enabled her to steer Richard Preston & Son through thick and thin over many years.”
The other winners were:
Industry Trainer of the Year
Charlotte Russell, general manger of GIST People Services
Rising Star of the Year
Caroline Barber, programme manager of Transaid
Team of the Year
Jane Burkitt, supply chain planning director of PepsiCo International UK
Warehousing Award
Lucy Parker, operations manager of DHL Supply Chain
Commercial Driver of the Year
Vicky Taylor, driver for Home Delivery Network.
