Followmont drives gender diversity message

Queensland operator Followmont Transport held a networking event today (September 17) at Volvo Group Australia headquarters in Brisbane to promote gender diversity and the benefits it can bring to Australia's road freight industry.

Under the banner of 'celebrating women in transport', Followmont Transport CEO and managing director, Mark Tobin, addressed VGA executives and attendees on the gains his business has made by attracting more women to what traditionally has been a male-dominated industry.

Marking the event was the unveiling of Followmont Transport's latest truck, a 6x4 rigid UD Quon CD25390, which is one of an order of 14 made recently by the Brisbane-headquartered firm. The truck revealed at the event featured a bright pink livery, along with custom pink and purple curtains adorned with the message, 'celebrating women in transport'.

Joining VGA President and CEO Martin Merrick at the event was keynote speaker Roz Shaw (former CEO of Hawkins Road Transport and current National Head of Transport at insurance specialist, Gallagher), with the latter's address followed by a panel discussion in which Mr Tobin and Ms Shaw were joined by Julie Russell (Director, Russell Transport) and Lauren Downs (Vice President – Sales, UD Trucks Australia).

Both Ms Russell and Ms Shaw have previous been awarded the title of ATA National Australian Transport Industry Woman of the Year, in 2015 and 2012 respectively, while Ms Downs signed on as VP of Sales for UD Trucks in May following the retirement of previous incumbent, Mark Strambi.

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Mr Tobin said Followmont Transport, which employs around 160 females, actively encourages and supports women and was ultimately a far stronger organisation for it.

"The transport industry is traditionally seen as a male dominant one and something that is close to my own heart is finding opportunities of growth for my people, despite gender, age, or race," he said.

"Rather than seeing diversity as something to be feared, it should be something we embrace. We should be looking for opportunities to break down barriers and create new possibilities for our nation."

After speaking about their respective journeys through Australia's road transport industry, the women agreed having a better balance of men and women brought with it a healthier workplace dynamic.

"As soon as you introduce more women, as soon as you introduce [a more diverse spread of] ages into the group, the dynamics of diversity are incredible – the different ideas, the brainstorming, all of those things," said Ms Downs.

"Why should people care about diversity? Because we want the most competent people from the largest talent pool available. And it's only once you expand to encompass both genders, you expand to a diverse age [range], nationalities, all of those things, that you get to select from that wide talent pool."

When asked what recommendations they had for any woman considering a career in the road transport industry, the women were quick to offer their advice.

"In the transport industry there is a wide range of businesses and they each have their own culture and set of behaviours," said Ms Russell, "so it's about finding the right match for you."

Ms Shaw, however, was more direct: "Do it – there's never a dull day!" she said.

And Ms Downs stressed the extraordinary breadth and depth of roles available within the industry. "It's such a cool and exciting industry – I think we just need to get that out there," she said.

While acknowledging there was still more to be done, Mr Merrick said Volvo Group Australia had made solid progress towards achieving greater workplace diversity.

"We don't just promote, we celebrate diversity and inclusion here at Volvo Group Australia," he said.

"I'm very proud to say that in my leadership team, 42 per cent of my direct reports are female and 26 per cent of our white collar employees are female. But we have more to do.

"I was speaking with Mark [Tobin] earlier about how we could make the workshops, the blue collar workers and such like an environment where we attract female talent for the future.

"But it's not only female talent. For us, and for the environment we want to create, no matter your gender, race, nationality, or sexual orientation – no matter what – you can come to our place of work and be yourself. We're passionate about creating an environment where we bring out the best in our people.

"We're on a great journey there. There's still more to do, but we're making great progress."