SPAR UK operations manager wins prestiguous Everywoman Transport & Logistics Award
Chloe Ball, Chilled Operations Manager at SPAR UK partner A.F. Blakemore, has won the Warehousing Award in the Leader category at the Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards. The award recognises women excelling in their role within a warehousing environment.
The awards showcase the crucial positions women hold in transport and logistics, demonstrating progression, accomplishment and increasing avenues of opportunity within the industry.
Chloe joined A.F. Blakemore in 2013 as an Administration Assistant and was the first female to qualify for the SPAR operator’s People with Potential training programme in 2015.
From Warehouse Team Leader, she was promoted to Warehouse Supervisor, then Shift Manager and Ambient Warehouse Manager in 2019. She has now been seconded into the position of Chilled Operations Manager at Willenhall.
Chloe’s award recognises the improvements she made in operational performance, customer service, and staff development while working in the ambient depot at Willenhall.
Chloe processed a 13% increase in stock volume year-on-year and made a 12% improvement on costs. An improvement of processes internally has also seen a 50% reduction in customer claims over the past two years. The last colleague survey recorded a 94% job satisfaction rate in her department, the highest satisfaction score ever achieved at A.F. Blakemore in this area.
“I am really proud to have received this award as it shows that women can be successful in senior logistics roles”, Chloe says.
“Having worked my way into management from an entry level position, I hope I can inspire more colleagues at AF Blakemore and SPAR to aim high and realise their potential, especially as we have lots of leadership development programmes and job opportunities on offer.”
Inspiring women in logistics
A.F. Blakemare Supply Chain Director Ranald Forbes commented: “Congratulations, Chloe, on your well-deserved win. These awards are very prestigious in the logistics industry.”
“With women still occupying a minority of leadership roles in the transport and logistics industry, recognising the achievements of females is crucial to attracting more women to the sector and ensuring a strong pipeline of future talent for AFB. I hope this award win inspires more women in logistics to achieve great things.”
At the awards, HR Business Partner Liz Blakemore was also named a runner up for the Supply Chain Award, which recognises women who are innovating and excelling in their roles within the supply chain environment.
Established in 1999, Everywoman is recognised globally as a professional organisation that drives the development of women at all levels. This year’s Transport and Logistics Awards were held virtually on 8 July.
Source: SPAR UK
About SPAR UK
The UK became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are now five regional partners in the UK. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group.
SPAR has led the highly competitive convenience market in the UK for many years. Always innovative, the five regional partners have continued to grow the brand. SPAR UK comprises independently owned licensed retailers and company-owned stores. These include forecourts, airports, train stations, city centres, and local neighbourhood stores.
