Stagecoach celebrates the achievements of its female talent

Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, is celebrating the achievements of its female team after two of its leaders were added to the ‘Women to Watch’ Index arranged by Women in Hospitality, Transport & Leisure (WiHTL).  

Group Head of Media and Public Affairs, Emma Knight, and Head of Finance Business Partnering Emma Sidlow were included in the 2022 index for their contribution to the sector and their wider contribution to society, each of them holding a vital role in the company’s ‘Giving for Good’ charity committee.

Emma Knight, who is a member of the Group’s Senior Operational Board, provides advice and expertise on communications strategy at the highest level of the business. She is a keen advocate for diversity and inclusion, championing the company’s strategy for change. Emma also leading a cross-functional communications focus group to ensure continual improvements in communications across the business.

Recently promoted to Head of Finance Business Partnering, Emma Sidlow was nominated for her focus on large business decisions supporting Change, Commercial, Sustainability and Technology.

Emma is also a Trustee and Treasurer for the Manchester homeless charity called Emmaus. She is part of a team of trustee’s that set up new social enterprise in Wythenshawe.  She is also the treasurer, chairing the finance committee to ensure the financial stability of the charity, so they can achieve their goals.

Last year, two other female leaders were added to the index - Fiona Doherty, Managing Director for Stagecoach West Scotland and Sharon Vye-Parminter, Health, Safety and Environment Director for Stagecoach.

In 2020, Stagecoach became the first major private sector multi-modal transport business in the country to appoint a woman at its helm, with Carla Stockton-Jones becoming UK Managing Director. She was also added to WiHTL’s  ‘Role Model for Inclusion Index’ in 2021. 

Carla said: “I am extremely proud that two more of our female leaders have been added to this index. This celebrates and recognises the commitment each of these women have made to ensuring Stagecoach is successful, equal and an employer of choice.

“We actively promote diversity and inclusion through a variety of ways, from strategic objectives such as targeting 40% female leaders and 25% of employees from ethnic backgrounds by 2026 and through our employee led networks. Diversity and Inclusion continues to be extremely important to our business and whilst we have made some good progress, we know that there is still work to do. The new targets we have set as part of our sustainability strategy will help to make sure that we continue on this positive journey and play our part in helping to transform diversity in the transport sector so that we continue to have a strong pipeline of Women to Watch.”