Priority Freight celebrates International Women’s Day

Published: Monday, 6 March 2023

This International Women’s Day, Priority Freight is celebrating the fantastic women that help to shape and lead this successful logistics business. The company is devoted to encouraging equal opportunities for all, in all departments, no matter a person’s gender.

Liz Taylor-Cook, Group HR Manager, Emma Cooper, Head of Group Marketing and Irene Gonzalez, General Manager (Madrid office) have been sharing their experiences of working at Priority Freight.

Liz Taylor-Cook, Group HR Manager

Liz has been working at Priority Freight since 2014 and has over 17 years of experience working in HR.

What attracted you to the logistics industry?

Prior to joining Priority Freight, I was a consultant for eight years and had a number of logistics and warehousing clients in my portfolio. I found these clients challenging and interesting and enjoyed the diverse range of people management skills required.

Have you seen an increase in women in the industry?

I am proud to say that almost 50% of our staff are women, which is a great achievement in what has historically been a male-dominated environment.

Was there a woman you looked up to at the start of your career?

I have been lucky to have been able to work for three women at senior level during my career, and they have each inspired me with their knowledge, professionalism and tenacity.

Emma Cooper, Head of Group Marketing

Emma has been working at Priority Freight for nearly eight years.

What attracted you to the logistics industry?

My father founded a courier company, so I grew up with knowledge of the sector. I had previous experience setting up a marketing department and was curious to learn more about Priority Freight. Having met the team, it was clear that the company would be a good fit, and I have never looked back.

What does Priority Freight have in place to support / encourage women into the logistics industry?

I am proud to say that, as a company, we promote gender balance and always hire based on ability alone. The next generation of women should feel empowered to do any job they wish; it shouldn’t be any other way.

What is your top piece of advice to give to young women starting their career in logistics?

Never stop learning – especially in marketing. The marketing world is constantly evolving, and we need to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Iren Gonzalez, General Manager of the company’s Madrid office

Irene has been in this role for one year following a successful career in tourism.

What attracted you to the logistics industry?

I have always been curious about cargo in planes. As an ex-flight attendant, I used to see the process of loading the cargo and wondered what its final destination would be or the purpose of the shipment itself.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It starts with the early analysis of the revenue made the previous day, addressing the team with some actions or highlighting our performance. Then every day is different, and priorities might change as the day goes, so I need to be ready to adapt to changes at all times. I also follow up on operations and solve problems that might arise. Overall, my job includes managing the team and the workload, identifying what needs to be in place and anticipating as much as possible. I love being able to inspire my colleagues and help them overcome the job’s challenges.

After all that, I look forward to seeing my little boy at home and enjoying some family time.

What is the most interesting project you have led at Priority Freight?

Becoming a General Manager has already been the most interesting and challenging project I have ever led!