Women in Bus and Coach Chair Louise Cheeseman highlights plenty of work still to do as board needs more support
More volunteer assistance is sought to further the work of Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC), Chair Louise Cheeseman says.
Speaking at the WiBC Summit in Birmingham on 30 September, Ms Cheeseman looked back positively on what has been achieved in the first two years but added there was a long way to go.
“We as women are a very loyal bunch,” she says.
“We tend to come in and stay if we feel valued and the workplace is adapted for what we’re looking for. But what we’re finding is we’re getting more women signing up for the industry, but we’re just getting even more women leaving.”
Alluding to feedback from a recent WiBC report into diversity in the industry, she says: “I got very depressed reading it because there is so much to do.”
Issuing a call for more individuals within the industry to support the cause with their time, she adds: “Women in Bus and Coach has made a really positive step, but we’re only a small group trying to juggle busy day jobs.
“The board is amazing, but we need more people to help us.”
Ms Cheeseman also highlighted a changing environment in the industry that WiBC needs to work hard to influence.
Referring to new stakeholders in the form of local authorities, she says: “All local authorities need their bus operators to demonstrate their strong diversity culture and become members of Women in Bus and Coach.”
At the WiBC Awards held concurrently, Michele Elliot, a driver with First Bus in Aberdeen, was named Woman of the Year.
DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder was announced as the newest Women in Bus and Coach Ambassador.
It was also revealed that Nalisha Fernandes, Metroline Finance Business Partner for Bids and Tenders, has been selected as the next Mentee Director.
