UK parcel delivery company Evri has announced plans to become the employer of choice for female drivers in the delivery industry. While 30% of its couriers are women, the number of female HGV, LGV and van drivers remains around 3%, only slightly above the industry average.
The plans are being spearheaded by Evri’s chief human resources officer Lyn Warren, who is currently undergoing training to obtain her own CAT C license in the hope of inspiring other women to consider these career paths.
The company has also announced several initiatives to attract and retain female drivers, including:
- A new recruitment and communications campaign to raise awareness and champion female drivers, as well as providing more information on becoming a trainee driver, which will include experienced female drivers telling their stories.
- Listening groups with existing female drivers to understand how Evri can make its workplace a more inclusive environment. Evri wants to ensure that when attracting new drivers, they are retained, and their experience is a positive one.
- A mentoring program with existing experienced female drivers to support new ones. It can be daunting starting a new career in any environment, and feedback from our existing female drivers has shown the value of having a mentor they can ask questions.
In the past year, Evri has launched new policies in line with its ambition of creating a truly inclusive workplace, including its menopause and fertility guides, transitioning at work guide, and inclusive language handbook.
The company is also working to increase the representation of women in other traditionally male-dominated roles in its operation. Evri’s latest Gender Pay Gap report, published in 2024, shows that it has increased the number of women in leadership roles, has a mean gender pay gap of 2.5%, well below the UK’s mean gender pay gap at 8.3%, and a higher percentage of women than men achieved a bonus in 2023.
“I’m passionate about creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of background or gender, can thrive,” Warren commented. “The logistics industry has traditionally been male dominated, but I believe women have the talent and skill set to excel in this field. We’re removing barriers and creating opportunities for women to join our team, and I’m confident that we can make Evri a place where they can reach their full potential.”