Inspiring Q&A to open The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge 2023

An inspiring Q&A session highlighting the equality, diversity and inclusion journey of two warehousing and logistics
industry employees will open this year’s Big Logistics Diversity Challenge.
Grey Gardner, who is transmasculine, and Ollie Rowley, who is deaf, both joined, GXO, the world’s largest pure-play
contract logistics provider, in 2021 and will be sharing their experiences and discussing what equality, diversity and
inclusion means to them, how GXO’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (D,I&B) team has supported their careers and
the importance and value of The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge (BLDC).
The Q&A will be led by Dawn Richmond, Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Specialist UK&I from GXO, which is also
fielding a team at the event for the second year running.
Starting at GXO as an Operational Picker, Grey Gardner has progressed to an Acting Team Leader, taking a Level 3
Leadership and Management course to develop their skills for the role: “As a transmasculine individual, D,I&B is
important to me because everybody deserves the opportunity to be able to come to work, feel part of a team, make
connections and, ultimately, earn a living.
“The world is not yet set up for diverse individuals and D,I&B helps people realise that making small adjustments
positively impacts everybody involved.
“The work GXO’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team has done to promote visibility and education for diverse
people has been immensely validating as I feel like I have been recognised and that there has been a real push for
education so that I and many others feel included.
“My team has been extremely supportive when it comes to my transition at work. I have not felt challenged or
threatened over my identity and they supported me in planning for the future so my work is impacted as little as
possible.
“I am looking forward to networking at The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge, meeting new people and working as part
of a team. I’d love to be able to stay in contact with the people I meet as part of a wider supportive network for
D,I&B.”
Warehouse Operative Ollie, who repairs goods to be sent back into stock, explained: “As a deaf person, people often
think it is difficult to get to know to me.
“However, just being included is a great way to break the ice – they soon realise it’s rather simple to engage. Inclusion
is very important.
“The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge was really fun last year. I really enjoyed the activities we took part in, like the
human football!”
Cathy Balding, GXO Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging UK&I adds: “One of our values is to ‘Be inclusive’ and
we’re committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging at all levels.
“The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge is an important event as it allows us to bring together game changers from
across our business to celebrate our achievements.

“It’s also great for team building; we start as colleagues but we leave as friends having embraced all of the challenges
on the day.”

The BLDC is specifically designed to highlight the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion and how diversity can
be tackled collaboratively through physical, mental and skills-based team-building challenges.
This year’s event is being held at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, on 22 June and is an opportunity for
organisations to share best practice, network and help shape a more inclusive sector, while recognising and
rewarding employees with an adventurous day of fun.
More than 400 industry personnel have signed up to participate in this year’s BLDC and there is a growing number of
supporting organisations recognising the event’s credentials.
Multi-media specialists Nimble Media Ltd is once again partnering with Talent in Logistics to stage the event and, as
in previous years, 2023’s chosen charity is international development organisation Transaid.

You can follow the latest new and updates for The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge via social media channels:
Facebook –/biglogisticsdc
Twitter – @biglogisticsdc
Instagram – @biglogisticsdc
LinkedIn – Big Logistics Diversity Challenge

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