Gender equality
People
Women in maritime
Group Management team: Margareta’s story
Before maritime, I worked in HR in hospitality, airports, and retail. I wanted to move into shipping because it combines so much of what I enjoy about hospitality with a truly international perspective. We work in a complex industry, and I love the challenges that come with that. I also wanted to be in a company that would help drive change and make things happen.
Speak openly about equality
At Stena Line, we were really making progress on our gender equality targets before Covid hit and presented us with unexpected challenges. We’d recruited Salem Yohannes as our Diversity & Inclusion Lead because we needed someone in house to drive our equality agenda and train us to do better. She’s helped us build our own knowledge and we’re having more open conversations about what needs to be done. We need to build on what we’d achieved before the pandemic. We must keep making waves to make a difference.
Men need to speak up, too!
I’d like to see more men across the company becoming spokespeople for gender equality. We need men to advocate that equality is better for everyone. That way, we’ll be able to make sure we have the best talents in every team.
We also need to do more to create balance in other aspects of inclusion too. This is about nationalities, ages, abilities – we need to make sure we’re drawing the best people from the talent that’s available – and that means doing more to go beyond the traditions and conventions that could be holding us back.
Use your energy wisely
Over the course of my career, I’ve learnt that this is a marathon, not a sprint! You must pace yourself and be pragmatic about where to channel your energies. And if you’re working in the shipping industry or in our company and you feel stuck, please talk to your manager as part of your review and development process so that they can help you make changes. If you don’t feel that’s making a difference, reach out to me or someone within the People organisation. I know we are surrounded by people with great potential, and I want to help them make the most of the skills and abilities they have to offer.
If you are interested in a career at Stena Line – view our current job openings here.
Meet Brian Cooper
Brian describes Stena Line as a company that values your contributions and challenges you to continue to grow and develop. Over the years he has had opportunities to develop a career he is proud of whilst gaining many UK catering and hospitality qualifications for his work. Here is his story.
Meet Siân McWilliam
Customer Service Assistant Siân McWilliam works at Liverpool and Birkenhead Port, where she helps both passengers and freight customers prepare for their crossing. Every day is different at Stena Line – each with lots of opportunities to connect with people and make their journey even better. Here is her story.