On 8 October 2024, the first Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) Awards ceremony was held as part of the annual summit in Manchester. I had been nominated by my Managing Director, Andrew Blundell, for the Best Woman in Coach award – and although I was on holiday at the time, I joined remotely via Teams.
To my amazement, I won – and was then put forward, alongside the winners of the Bus and Community Transport categories, for the overall Woman of the Year 2024. My shock was apparently quite visible on the big screen… I do believe I cried!
Fast forward to 25 March: Sitting at Heathrow with my husband Bob, ready for the trip of a lifetime courtesy of the award sponsor, MCV Commercial Vehicles – Bus and Coach.
The experience was extraordinary. From the moment we arrived at the airport in Cairo, we were treated like celebrities. Greeted by a chauffeur and an MCV representative, we were whisked to the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Heliopolis hotel.
The next morning, we were chauffeur driven to MCV’s production facility – a highlight for me, having spent my career in manufacturing. The drive out of Cairo was really interesting, seeing the agriculture and a wide mix of vehicles, including those powered by donkey.
The tour was fascinating: The factory was clean, organised, and full of engaged, happy workers. I was especially pleased to see so many women involved in seat production – cutting patterns, stitching covers, and assembling seats.
Later that day, we visited the MCV head office to meet a group of professional, passionate women working in engineering, purchasing, HR, and marketing.
It was inspiring to hear their stories, and we shared honest conversations about the barriers women face in our respective countries – many of which were surprisingly similar. After that, a presentation by Shady Hakim, MCV’s Human Resources Director, on Egypt’s progressive efforts to encourage women into employment was a real eye-opener.
Before we left, I was honoured to meet the company’s Employee of the Year – a kind and dedicated woman who welcomed me with warmth and hugs. That evening, Bob and I joined MCV’s Sara Al-Tayyar, Mirna Abdelmalek, and friends to enjoy the Ramadan vibe in Old Cairo – with a giant dancing gorilla, a whirling dervish, mint tea and dancing.
While our time with MCV came to an end, our Egyptian adventure continued. We explored the Pyramids (camel ride included!), marvelled at ancient treasures in the museums, and then flew to Aswan to begin a four-day Nile cruise on the elegant MS Sonesta Moon Goddess.
The cruise from Aswan to Luxor was breathtaking – from the Temple of Isis at Philae to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor, and both the Valley of the Kings and Queens. The Nile itself was the true star – serene, timeless, and utterly captivating.
I’m still in shock at the whole experience. I feel no more deserving than so many of the amazing women I’ve worked alongside. But winning this award has meant the world to me – it’s made a difference, and I’m finally learning to leave my imposter syndrome at the door and celebrate my success.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible.
Look out for the 2025 WiBC awards, launching soon!
