Topic
Diversity in Supply Chain.
Diverse supply chains perform better. The evidence has been clear for a decade - McKinsey, Gartner, Deloitte and most major industry studies have all landed on the same conclusion. Yet supply chain remains one of the less diverse sectors in business, particularly at senior level. This page is about the people and organisations actually moving the dial: the women already in the industry doing the work, the male and corporate allies amplifying them, the groups and networks running real programmes, and the practical resources that make change easier. It's UK-rooted and globally open. If you're trying to build a more diverse supply chain team, programme a more representative conference, commission better trade coverage or just understand the landscape, this is a useful starting point.
Diverse voices across UK supply chain
These are women working across UK supply chain, transport and logistics - the people you can hire, book, profile and learn from today. The directory spans procurement, planning, operations, manufacturing, logistics, transport and supply chain technology, and includes everyone from senior leaders to operational specialists to the founders building the next generation of supply chain businesses.
Diverse voices worldwide
Diversity in supply chain is a global conversation. The women below are shaping it across markets, from European manufacturers and US carriers to Asian sourcing hubs and Middle Eastern logistics businesses. Many work cross-border on UK and international projects.
Why diversity in supply chain matters commercially
The business case for diversity in supply chain is well-documented and unusually concrete. Diverse teams make better decisions, spot risk earlier (a particularly valuable trait in supply chain risk management), and access broader talent pools in a sector that is structurally short of people. Gartner's annual Women in Supply Chain survey shows a clear correlation between female representation and supply chain performance metrics. The leadership gap is the most stubborn part: women are roughly 35-45% of supply chain workforces overall but only 15-25% of supply chain C-suite roles. Closing that gap unlocks better decision-making at exactly the level where supply chain decisions have the largest financial impact. This isn't a CSR conversation - it's an operational one.
Practical ways to support diversity in supply chain
If you run a supply chain function, the most useful things you can do are concrete: sponsor women on your team for board roles and external visibility opportunities, audit hiring shortlists for representation before signing them off, nominate women from your team for this directory, and make sure conference speaker lists you sponsor or book actually reflect the talent pool. If you run a supply chain business, become a supporter of the platform - corporate support is what funds the editorial and nomination work that keeps the directory comprehensive. If you're an individual ally, the allies directory is the place to start.
Groups & networks
BOOM
A global network for women in supply chain - online community, webinars and events for women and allies.
Global · The global network for women in supply chain
Women in Transport
Twenty-year-old not-for-profit membership network advancing women across every transport mode, with a well-established mentoring programme and an active events calendar.
UK & Ireland · Empowerment, equity and advocacy in transport
WISTA UK
The UK arm of WISTA International, supporting women at management level across maritime, trading and logistics with events, speakers and connections.
UK & Ireland · Women in maritime, trading and logistics
Females in Freight
A friendly UK community connecting women working across freight forwarding, haulage and logistics operations through meet-ups and online conversation.
UK & Ireland · Community for women across freight
Frequently asked
Why does diversity in supply chain matter commercially?+
Diverse teams make better operational decisions, spot risk earlier, and access broader talent pools. In a function where every percentage point of efficiency compounds across millions of transactions and the talent market is structurally short, that matters. Gartner's annual Women in Supply Chain research consistently shows a correlation between female representation and supply chain performance.
What's the gender gap in supply chain leadership?+
Women are roughly 35-45% of supply chain workforces overall but a much smaller share of CSCO and executive roles. Most major industry studies put female C-suite representation in supply chain in the 15-25% range. The leadership gap is wider than the workforce gap, and that's where most of the practical work is now focused.
What does 'diversity in supply chain' actually mean in practice?+
Gender is the most measured dimension and the focus of this platform, but real diversity in supply chain spans race, socioeconomic background, neurodiversity, disability and educational route into the sector (apprenticeships vs graduate schemes vs lateral career changes). The industry's diversity conversation is broadening, and the most credible programmes treat all of these dimensions seriously.
How can my company support this work?+
Become a supporter of the platform, nominate women on your team for the directory, sponsor relevant events, and feature the women on your team internally and externally. See the supporters page for the practical options and what corporate support actually funds.
Are allies and men included in this work?+
Yes. The allies directory is a separate, parallel listing for the men and organisations actively backing women in the industry. The pillar above focuses on the women themselves, but the work doesn't happen without allies.