International Women’s Day: Choose To Challenge

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose To Challenge’. A challenged world is an alert world. And from challenge comes change.

It is important for us to raise the profile of the women working with us and encourage more women to consider roles at LondonEnergy and in the energy, waste, and recycling industry. We are working hard with our partnership organisations to attract more women to work with us.

Our aim is to strengthen our commitment to diversity by increasing the representation of women in our workforce, especially in Operations. From 7% in 2015, our objective is to have 30% female across the business by 2022. We are proud to support International Women’s Day on 8 March by celebrating the women working at LondonEnergy and their achievements.

Read their amazing stories.

Holly Roberts, Interim Senior Site Supervisor

Holly Roberts joined LondonEnergy in 2020 as a Weighbridge Supervisor and has recently been promoted to interim Senior Site Supervisor at our Hornsey Street site in Islington. Holly is responsible for monitoring the weighbridge management system at the busy site and ensuring the smooth reporting of data. She also supports the site manager in implementing new operational processes.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a celebration to all that has been achieved in the challenges for women to be equal.

What attracted you to a career in the waste and recycling industry?

I was contacted by a recruitment consultant who thought the position at LondonEnergy would be a perfect match for my skills and experience.

What do you like about working at LondonEnergy?

That I have had the chance to progress in my career. I have already received training to learn more about waste, recycling, energy, operations and leadership.

What advice would you give to girls and young women about working in the waste industry?

Do something that you enjoy and be determined to reach your goals.

Is there a woman who has inspired you, and why?

My mum is my inspiration. She is very headstrong, determined and has achieved everything she set her mind to. My mum worked three jobs and did her masters degree when my brother and I were young. She is brave, strong, and caring. If I become half the person, she is I will be proud of myself.

Gemanita Evans, Site Operative

Gemanita Evans joined LondonEnergy in 2020 as a Site Operative. For Gemanita been the only female working at the Regis Road Recycling Centre in Camden is not an issue.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is an important tribute to females worldwide, how special we are and how important we are to society. I also believe it is a time for women to reflect on themselves and strengthen bonds with other women.

How did you start your career in the waste and recycling industry?

I was registered with an organisation that helps women to find employment. They put me forward for the site operative role.

What is your day-to-day role?

My role as a site operative is rewarding. I meet so many customers every day, provide information to customers about the waste and how to best recycle. We advise them on the use of the correct bins to reduce contamination. I feel proud of my role.

What do you like about working at LondonEnergy?

I love the people I work with and my role in recycling. There is lots of opportunity at LEL to receive training and learn more about the industry.  LondonEnergy is family-oriented and cares about its employees.

What challenges, if any, have you experienced as a woman at work?

I have not come across any challenges at work. However, I have experienced comments from residents visiting the site, they think that as a woman I will not be able to help them with heavy bags.

What advice would you give to girls and young women about working in the industry?

Apply if you see a role you like. The recycling industry is exciting and plays an important role in helping the environment.

Tell us about a woman who has inspired you, and why?

My mother inspired me; she was beautiful, loving with a no-nonsense attitude. She always supported me in whatever I did, and it is only since she passed that I see how inspiring she was to me. I get inspired every time I think of her.

Sheena Alexander, Assistant Transport Manager

Sheena, our Assistant Transport Manager, has worked at LondonEnergy since 2019 and has worked in the Transport industry for five years.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s day is important as now more and more women are working in what used to be deemed ‘male-oriented industry. This day now celebrates this, and it feels more normalised to have women working in logistics and waste. I feel lucky to work in an organisation that celebrates this day and actively have women sharing their stories.

How did you start a career in Logistics?

I started my career in HR working for a small scaffolding company that involved looking after HGV’s. I quickly learned about transport legislation, legal transport operations, and realised how much I enjoyed it. I then went on to gain my Manager CPC in 2018. I thoroughly enjoy how fast-paced transport can be. I then moved on to various transport management roles in larger waste management companies.

What do you get up to in your day-to-day role?

My role involves supporting our Transport supervisors and planners to ensure we utilise our drivers/vehicles efficiently to hit daily tonnages for the production plan. I also manage the drivers, deal with defects and breakdown, and ensure we comply with transport legislation.

What advice would you give to girls and young women thinking about applying for driving jobs?

Go for it. I would advise anyone to research and learn about the HGV’s and transport legislation before learning to drive. Many people do not realise how much there is to learn and all the rules/regulations that go with it.

Tell us about a woman who has inspired you, and why?

All the women in our transport team! Katie Blowes, Amanda Kemp, and our apprentice HGV driver Jovita are brilliant at what they do. We are such a good team, and we are not treated any differently because we are women.