Throughout her career, Jane Cole, Blackpool Transport’s retiring MD has been a passionate advocate for women in transport

 
Jane Cole says more that needs to be done to redress a significant gender imbalance

 
A leading figure in the transport world has vowed to continue her support for women in the industry following her retirement later this year.

Over a career spanning nearly 50 years, Jane Cole OBE has played a leading role in a wide range of transport and business organisations, including UKTram, the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, the North West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, and Confederation of Passenger Transport.

Since 2015, she has led Blackpool Transport as managing director, and under her leadership, it has enjoyed remarkable success, including an impressive collection of industry awards.
Throughout a distinguished career, which has seen her rise through the ranks at British Rail before taking up a series of high profile roles with Virgin Trains, Cole has been a passionate advocate for women in transport.

“While transport has traditionally been a male-dominated sector, it has changed massively over the past few years, and we are now seeing an increasing number of women filling top roles, and I feel proud to be amongst them,” Cole explained.

However, the first female president of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, who was awarded an OBE in January’s New Year Honours List, says there’s still more that needs to be done to redress a significant gender imbalance at all levels within the industry.

We really need to get the message across that there’s a wealth of opportunities for women in a sector that’s facing something of a skills gap, particularly in areas such as engineering

“We really need to get the message across that there’s a wealth of opportunities for women in a sector that’s facing something of a skills gap, particularly in areas such as engineering,” Cole continued.

“As well as targeting young people, we also need to show older women, including mums returning to the workplace after raising a family, or anyone looking for a change of direction, that there are dozens of roles that offer a rewarding career, rather than just a job.

“For example, here in Blackpool, around 20% of our own team is female, and women across the business have played a key role in our recent success. Among them are a number of rising stars, including head of organisational development, Jade Bambrook; Chloe Glennerster, head of finance; sales manager Maddie Pouard and marketing manager Hayley Gregory. Women are also well represented among our team of tram and bus drivers and conductors.”

Ahead of her retirement, Cole has also been reflecting on her wider career. After joining the then nationalised railway at the age of 18, initially working as a clerk in the payroll department, Manchester-born Cole soon secured a new role at Blackpool North Station, where she was responsible for rostering.

A rapid rise through the ranks saw her become a quality manager for provincial and Inter-City services and an onboard manager before landing the position of train services manager at Euston Station. Here she enjoyed one of the highlights of her career, meeting the Queen and other members of the Royal Family while managing the Royal Train.

Privatisation of the railways saw her join Virgin Trains in 1997, where she became regional manager for Anglo-Scotland services and later regional manager for Manchester and Liverpool services.

“This really was a golden age, and I learnt so much from Richard Branson, his commitment to finding innovative ways to put the customer experience first and the importance of building a work family around you that you can really trust,” Cole said.

Looking to the future, although she’s stepping down in Blackpool, Cole doesn’t plan to retire from the public eye completely, using her broad experience to help causes that remain close to her heart.

I may take a little time out to enjoy some quality time with family, but I fully intend to continue my support for several charities, entrepreneurs and women who work in the transport industry

“I may take a little time out to enjoy some quality time with family, but I fully intend to continue my support for several charities, entrepreneurs and women who work in the transport industry.

“However, I’m really going to miss all the people who work so hard to deliver the best possible bus and tram services on the Fylde Coast for residents and millions of tourists.
It is certainly a very special place.”

Cole also expressed her gratitude for all the support she’s received from members of her team, the wider Blackpool Transport family, the local authority and colleagues from across the transport sector.

“Above all, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Blackpool and surrounding areas, as well as the wider transport sector.” she added.

 
This story appears inside the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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