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Rita Skevington, Branch Manager – Speedy Freight Derby & Leicester
Tell us about yourself and your role within Speedy Freight.
I have over 30 years of leadership experience in Customer Services, including eight years within the Speedy Freight network.
My role as Branch Manager at Speedy Freight Leicester and Derby combines leadership, problem-solving, and ensuring our customers receive reliable, time-critical logistics solutions, from urgent same day deliveries to complex logistical challenges. That’s exactly what I love about it. I’m responsible not only for performance and profitability, but also for maintaining the high service standards our customers expect.
My role combines leadership, problem-solving, and ensuring our customers receive reliable, time-critical logistics solutions. No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I love most about working in logistics.
How has your career progressed within the network, and what milestones are you most proud of?
My journey has been one of continuous learning and growth. From Customer Service Advisor to Branch Manager, I’ve built strong relationships with customers and suppliers, providing same day courier and logistics solutions. Over time, I’ve expanded the business, strengthened our team, and improved service performance. I’m particularly proud of building a resilient team culture and achieving consistent growth while maintaining exceptional service standards. I’m particularly proud of the work we did as a branch during the COVID-19 pandemic, supplying, in the first instance, test kits to care homes across the country.
What inspired you to pursue a career in logistics and take on a leadership or business ownership role?
Logistics appealed to me because it’s fast-paced, dynamic, and genuinely impactful. Behind every delivery there’s a business relying on you. I was drawn to the challenge. Taking on a leadership role allowed me to shape the culture, make strategic decisions, and create opportunities for others.
Which three personality traits do you think are key to success in your role?
Resilience – Logistics can be unpredictable, so staying calm under pressure is essential.
Adaptability – Things change quickly, and being able to pivot is crucial.
Strong communication – Clear, confident communication keeps customers reassured and teams aligned.
What is the most unusual or strangest item you’ve been asked to transport?
One of the coolest jobs was arranging urgent transport for specialist event equipment that absolutely had to be in place for a live production. The pressure was intense, but the satisfaction when everything arrived on time was even greater. On the stranger side, I’ve handled some very unusual, one-of-a-kind items where discretion and careful handling were just as important as speed.
What advice would you give to other women aiming for leadership roles in logistics?
Be confident in your abilities and don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Build a strong support network, seek mentors, and never underestimate the value of your perspective. Logistics needs diverse leadership, and there’s absolutely space for more women to thrive and lead successfully in this industry.
Gemma Davis, Branch Manager – Speedy Freight Birmingham
Tell us about yourself and your role within Speedy Freight.
I have worked for Speedy Freight for 8 years and really enjoy my role. As a Branch Manager, my role is to oversee the day-to-day running of the Speedy Freight Birmingham branch operationally and the sales. I ensure the operations are running efficiently and targets are met, and customers receive a high level of service. I support and develop my team, create a positive working environment and drive performance while making the workplace fun and enjoyable for my team.
How has your career progressed within the network, and what milestones are you most proud of?
Through operational knowledge and taking on different tasks by increasing my responsibility, as well as developing my leadership skills. I’m most proud of progressing within the business, starting as a Customer Service Advisor and becoming the Branch Manager for Birmingham. I’m also proud of my team and seeing them evolve within their roles too.
What inspired you to pursue a career in logistics and take on a leadership or business ownership role?
I have always enjoyed roles that involve problem-solving and efficiency, with different tasks and challenges every day. As I gained experience within the role, I was really interested in the leadership side of logistics and enjoy supporting my team and working together effectively to achieve our goals. It’s allowed me to combine my operational knowledge with people management.
Which three personality traits do you think are key to success in your role?
Communication, Adaptability, Ownership
What is the most unusual or strangest thing you’ve been asked to transport?
We have delivered for a celebrity before. Non-disclosure of names I’m afraid, sorry!
What advice would you give to other women aiming for leadership roles in logistics?
Go for it, be confident. Logistics is a fast-paced environment and rewarding. It’s a role to enjoy and evolve within.
Katie Wordley, Franchisee & General Manager – Speedy Freight Swindon & Salisbury
Tell us about yourself and your role within Speedy Freight.
I wear lots of very important hats. I’m a 34-year-old wife, mother and Franchisee. I own the Speedy Freight Swindon and Salisbury territory, so my role is essentially a little bit of everything. I get to work directly with our customers every day, mostly with overseas and more complex deliveries. I support the team to help them develop in their role and meet branch targets. I also manage our marketing strategies, recruitment and all things financial.
How has your career progressed within the network, and what milestones are you most proud of?
I joined Speedy Freight as a stop gap with a plan to go back to university and study to be a teacher. I joined as a Customer Service Advisor, progressing to a Business Development Manager, then to the Office Manager, before becoming partially equitable in 2023 and finally becoming the sole Franchisee of the Swindon and Salisbury territory at the end of 2024. My journey within Speedy Freight has been a very busy one, but one I’m incredibly proud of. Becoming the sole Franchisee whilst on maternity with my little girl is, and will always be, my proudest moment.
What inspired you to pursue a career in logistics and take on a leadership or business ownership role?
Logistics was never the plan, but I have so much passion for what we achieve here. I’m a massive advocate for our brand and so it seemed like a no-brainer when the opportunity to become a part-owner of the Swindon & Salisbury franchise came up back in 2022. I guess I’m proof of just how fast-paced this industry is!
Which three personality traits do you think are key to success in your role?
I’m incredibly resilient, if I do say so myself. I actively seek opportunities to learn, and I get to work with so many fascinating businesses, where having an in-depth knowledge of what they do is vital. Communication is key in most industries, but with so many moving components it really is important to be able to communicate effectively with people of all backgrounds. In general, I love making people happy and so being able to help customers to fix their problems or meet their deadlines is hugely satisfying. I think that’s four...
What is the most unusual or strangest thing you’ve been asked to transport?
With one of the clients we support, we deliver vital chemotherapy medication directly from lab to patient which, as you can imagine, is an incredibly important service to provide.
What advice would you give to other women aiming for leadership roles in logistics?
Do it. We have some incredible women working in leadership roles across the network excelling in their positions. The best leaders have confidence, communicate clearly, think strategically and show authenticity in their roles and the logistics industry is a fantastic place for these attributes to come together.
Francesca Hughes, Franchisee & General Manager – Speedy Freight Coventry
Tell us about yourself and your role within Speedy Freight.
I’m currently the Franchisee for Speedy Freight Coventry, and I’ve worked in the logistics industry for eight years. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy sector, and that is exactly what drew me to it and keeps me motivated.
How has your career progressed within the network, and what milestones are you most proud of?
I started my journey as a graduate within Speedy Freight. From there, I progressed into a Branch Manager role, where I was responsible for the Stockport and Crewe branches. That role gave me invaluable operational and commercial experience.
I was then promoted to Commercial Business Support, working across multiple branches within the network. In that position, I helped branches grow by strengthening both their sales performance and operational processes.
The biggest milestone in my career so far has been taking the leap to purchase my own franchise. Becoming a business owner within the network has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It’s something I’m extremely proud of.
What inspired you to pursue a career in logistics and take on a leadership or business ownership role?
I’ve always enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment, and logistics certainly delivers that. I thrive on the buzz of sales, especially the transactional nature of same day transport. No two days are ever the same.
Taking the step into business ownership was scary but doing something I genuinely love alongside a brilliant team made that decision easier. Owning a franchise allows me to combine my passion for sales, operations and leadership in one role.
Which three personality traits do you think are key to success in your role?
Competitiveness, ambition, and resilience.
What is the most unusual or strangest thing you’ve been asked to transport?
I have been asked to move a lot of weird and wonderful things, including hazardous good with my ADR transport certification. One of my favourites, due to the challenge, has been firearms.
What advice would you give to other women aiming for leadership roles in logistics?
Be confident in your knowledge and learn to communicate it well. Define your own leadership style and be yourself.
Celebrating Women in Logistics
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women building careers and leading in logistics, franchising and business across the UK. Their journeys show that logistics leadership comes from skill, determination, and the confidence to step forward. Logistics is a sector of opportunity, where ambition and capability create real pathways to success.
At Speedy Freight, we support women building meaningful careers and businesses that make a difference. If you’re exploring what’s possible in logistics or franchise ownership, we’d be happy to help you discover your options. Get in touch with us here.
