Aston University degree apprentice shows how women in the warehouse are becoming leaders
A postgraduate degree apprentice who has just completed the MSc Supply Chain Leadership & Management programme at Aston University has been named as the top woman in her field. Nikki Foley (pictured), who works for Wincanton, has been announced as the warehouse leader of the year in the Everywoman Transport & Logistics Awards 2022, which celebrates the vital contribution women make to transport and logistics.
She received the award for excelling in her role within the traditionally male warehousing environment. It follows her achievement last year when she was named as the industry’s ‘Rising Star’ at the Logistics UK Awards 2021.
She said: “I’m delighted to win the Everywoman Warehouse Leader Award 2022. I have completed a MSc Supply Chain Leadership & Management as a degree apprentice at Aston University which has really supported me in the role as general manager for Wincanton.
“The programme has given me a broad knowledge of management and leadership topics, which has helped me to successfully lead teams. I encourage other women to thrive within the sector and I regularly mentor colleagues to help increase inclusion and diversity.”
A degree apprenticeship provides the opportunity to gain a paid-for degree while getting industry experience and earning a salary. Degree apprenticeships take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level.
David Leach, senior teaching fellow in Engineering Systems & Supply Chain Management, said: “We’re delighted with Nikki’s latest win which recognises the impact women have within supply chain and logistics. She’s won a range of different industry awards over the past year and her achievements are helping to shift perceptions about women and careers in the sector.
“I think her win also illustrates to employers the value of degree apprenticeships. Spanning across full time undergraduate & postgraduate programmes plus apprenticeships at level 6 & level 7 Aston University has a bigger portfolio of supply chain programmes than other universities, and collectively more students.”
Two other Aston University apprentices were runners-up in separate categories. Claire Charlton, who is also studying for an MSc Supply Chain Leadership & Management Degree Apprenticeship, was a tech innovator runner-up and Amy Hinsliff-Smith, who is in the second year of a Supply Chain Degree Apprenticeship, was nominated for apprentice of the year.
The supply chain and logistics degree apprenticeships are offered within the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences which has recently been awarded Athena Swan Gold. The Charter recognises a commitment to advancing the careers of women across all disciplines and promoting gender equality more broadly.
