Shoreham port wins 2025 ESPO award for diversity
Shoreham port in the UK was awarded the 2025 ESPO Award on 5 November for its outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, launched in 2020. The strategy has led to significant cultural change, with women now making up 50% of the executive team and 55% of the board. Initiatives like flexible working, menopause awareness and female-specific PPE have supported women's development and increased revenue by 52%.
Shoreham port's efforts in embedding inclusive values have made it a national example of leadership in gender equality, including achieving Women in Maritime Charter status. The award highlights the port's success in breaking gender barriers and fostering a supportive environment, inspiring further diversity within the maritime sector. The ceremony, held in Brussels with around 200 guests, saw praise from jury chair Eamonn O'Reilly for the port's work towards tackling gender imbalance. Shoreham port's board chair, Catherine May, expressed pride in their transformation, viewing the recognition as motivation for further progress and leadership in European ports.