The Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Skills for Logistics are pleased to announce the second conference discussing women in the transport industry, a half-day event to be held at Towcester Racecourse, on 12 September 2006.

The event aims to build on last year's extremely successful event by demonstrating the achievements of women in the transport sector and promoting examples of good industry practice, and is open to both men and women.

It will be chaired by Gill Sheddick OBE, and will feature inspirational spokespeople including:

• Rebecca Jenkins, Managing Director, Lane Group
• Nikki King OBE, Managing Director, Isuzu Truck (UK) Ltd
• Lucinda Ward, Director - Marketing & Communications, Skills for Logistics
• John Harvey CBE, Chairman, Keswick Enterprises Ltd.
• Heidi Rushmer, Rushmer Transport Ltd, Carmen Apprentice of the Year 2005
• Dr. Michelle Ryan, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and joint author of The Glass Cliff Research Project.
• Pippa Attwood, General Manager - Membership and Marketing, FTA

Richard Turner, Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association said, "This year's event builds on the success of last year and responds to the feedback of the delegates. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in encouraging diversity within the industry. The last year has seen a slight increase in the number of women taking LGV licenses, but there is still a long way to go. Improving the image of the freight logistics industry remains vital to its future and this event will contribute to that process with its motivational, inspiring content."

"The scale of interest from the media over the last year in women LGV drivers has demonstrated the fascination with women working in a traditionally male sector," commented Ian Hetherington, Chief Executive, Skills for Logistics. "We have received coverage in media as diverse as Radio 4's Women's Hour, the Sunday Times and Motor Transport. It is fantastic that the work of women in the industry is highlighted and celebrated and hopefully this will encourage more and more women to investigate the range of career options available to them within logistics."

Women in the Transport Industry will start with lunch fully sponsored by the FTA and Skills for Logistics at 12.30 followed by presentations from each of the speakers, then a question and answer session. There will be a networking opportunity at the end of the day where you can meet your peers and discuss ideas with the speakers.