TST Group Hosts Ground breaking Women in Logistics UK first Northern Ireland Event, *Championing Female Leadership in Transport Industry
*Leading logistics provider transforms warehouse into networking hub for industry’s female pioneers
TST Group successfully hosted the first Women in Logistics UK, Northern Ireland gathering at their Ballymena facility on Friday, October 17th, bringing together female professionals from across the transport and logistics sector for an afternoon of networking, inspiration, and strategic discussion about the industry’s future.
The innovative event saw TST Group’s operational warehouse transformed into a vibrant event space, where over 60 attendees engaged in meaningful conversations about career development, industry challenges, and the evolving landscape of Northern Ireland’s logistics sector post-Brexit.
Inspirational Leadership Journey Takes Centre Stage
The event’s highlight was an emotive keynote address from Maire Claire Reid, Managing Director of TST Group, who shared her remarkable journey from a nine-year-old girl with a yellow typewriter in a transport office to becoming one of the youngest and first female Transport Managers of the Year in 2018.
“We’re not just women in motion – we’re the driving force moving logistics forward,” Reid told the audience, chronicling her evolution from working four nights a week after school at age 12 to leading the company’s transformation into a comprehensive 3PL provider.
Reid’s address revealed TST Group’s bold five-year vision to grow turnover to £100 million and expand operations across Ballymena, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester, positioning the company as a premier UK and Ireland 3PL provider.
Industry Leaders Address Critical Challenges
Ruth Waring, co-founder of Women in Logistics, opened the proceedings before handing over to a diverse panel of industry experts. Debbie Patterson delivered crucial insights on “The New Border Reality: Making Sense of Brexit and the Windsor Framework in a Post-Brexit Northern Ireland,” addressing the complex regulatory environment facing Northern Ireland businesses.
The panel discussion, “Unlocking Growth: What’s Next for Logistics in Northern Ireland,” featured industry leaders including:
- Pamela Dennison, Head of Fleet from Fibrus
- Charlene McGonagle Senior Logistics Manager from Henderson Group
- Kelly Donnelly, TST Group Compliance Manager
- Michelle Scott, TST Group UK Transport Manager
Each panellist shared their unique perspectives on growth opportunities, challenges, and the importance of diversity in driving innovation within the sector.
Breaking Barriers in a Traditional Industry
The event underscored the transformation happening within the traditionally male-dominated logistics sector. Reid recalled her first Freight Council meeting at Coca-Cola in 2018, where she was the only woman in a room full of suited executives. Today, as Chair of the Freight Council, she champions a diverse and dynamic membership that reflects the industry’s evolution.
TST Group itself exemplifies this change, with a proportionally high number of women employed across all levels of the organisation. This commitment to diversity has become a cornerstone of the company’s operational success and innovation.
“Every woman here knows that feeling of sink or swim in this industry,” Reid noted. “But we don’t just swim – we become the tide that lifts others.”
Creating Pathways for Future Generations
The event’s message resonated strongly: diversity isn’t just good for business – it IS good business. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and community, understanding their role in reshaping an industry that continues to evolve.
“We bring different perspectives. We solve problems differently. We lead with both strength and empathy,” Reid emphasised, highlighting how female leadership is creating legacies for future generations of women entering the logistics sector.