Pictured above: Nicole Howarth

Freight company boss Nicole Howarth is vying for a top national award after being named as one of the top three businesswomen in the UK logistics industry.

The 35-year-old managing director of Global Freight, has been announced as a Director of the Year finalist in the 2011 Transport & Logistics Awards.

Judges for the MAN everywoman-backed awards, which take place next month at the Savoy Hotel in London, said the finalists were a "huge inspiration" who had achieved success through hard work and determination in an often male-dominated industry.

Nicole, who set up Telford-based Global Freight 15 years ago as a one-woman business now turning over nearly £2 million a year, said she was delighted to have been short-listed.

She said: "I'm obviously thrilled to be one of the three finalists, to considered as an inspiration to other women in the industry is an honour. In an industry which is traditionally dominated by men, it is fantastic to see so many women excelling in a range of careers from operational, distribution and planning roles."

Maxine Benson, director of everywoman, said: "The quality of entries in this year's awards was impressive. The transport and logistics sector is so often overlooked but it is an area that offers huge opportunities for those wanting to make their mark. These finalists are a huge inspiration for other women wanting to move into the industry. I wish them all the best of luck." 

Short-listed with Nicole in the Asda-sponsored Director of the Year category are Jane Gorick, managing director of Redditch-based LPR UK and Natasa Sabanovic, managing director of Whittle Eastern Europe Logistics in Lancashire.

Jill Clark, Asda Distribution's head of people, said: "One of our core beliefs is to celebrate success and we hope that by supporting these awards we can inspire women to recognise that there are no limits to what they can achieve and attract even more great female talent into our industry."

Des Evans, chief executive of MAN Truck and Bus UK added: "MAN has a long established reputation of encouraging women to enter and excel in what by many is seen as a traditionally male dominated industry. 

"However this perception is continuing to diminish fast as growing numbers of energetic, career minded women choose to make a new start in the transport and Logistics sector. If the high standard of the previous year's nominees and winners are anything to go by these awards are proof to all the women working within this sector of what can be achieved. Good luck to all this years entrants in their chosen category."

Dr Mick Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Skills for Logistics, added: "Skills for Logistics is proud to support the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. Workforce diversity is a key factor in ensuring that the sector moves forward. There are not enough women represented in logistics, so it is exciting to see so many women that are contributing to the future of such a vital sector to the UK and indeed the global economy. 

"The women that have been nominated for these awards have demonstrated a wide range of skills that are helping to ensure the ongoing success of our industry. By celebrating these achievements and encouraging the recognition of women working in logistics these awards help to raise its profile and demonstrate the opportunities and the wide-ranging roles that are available within it."

The awards ceremony and luncheon will be held at The Savoy Hotel in London on May 4 2011, where politicians, media, captains of industry, companies who recognise the value of a diverse workplace and the industry's most successful women will gather to honour outstanding female success. Supported by FTA and trade associations and industry bodies across the sector, the MAN everywoman Transport & Logistics Awards are uncovering the industry's most talented employees.