The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge 2023 – Driving Diversity Forward!
On 22 June 2023, companies representing the UK’s Logistics and Transport industry came together at
Newark Showground, to participate in The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge.
First held in 2019, The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge has truly captured the hearts and minds of
the industry – demonstrating the passion, support and enthusiasm companies have to improve
equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as the business benefits attained by establishing a diverse
workforce. Growing by a staggering 40% since its launch, The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge has
become a staple in the industry’s event calendar, with many key industry stakeholders supporting it
year-on-year.
The Big Logistics Challenge is the only team-based logistics event showcasing the diversity the UK
logistics industry is seeking to achieve. The challenges are designed to promote the message that
diverse teams work better together, with companies taking part in a series of physical, mental and
skill-based sessions including; Catwalk Challenge, Quad Bikes, Archery, Agents in Disguise, Human
Table Football, the Mighty Quiz and Dancing with the Shows!. Designed to put a team’s
communication and teamwork skills to the test, the challenges are developed to ensure that
everyone has a role to play.
The event was opened by Vicky Binley, Director Nimble Media Ltd the company responsible for
organising and delivering the event.
Laura Nelson, Managing Director of Talent in Logistics, the events delivery partner, delivered a
welcome address commenting: “When we talk about diversity we often focus on rebalancing gender
and biological sex distribution in the workforce in our industry. Genuine diversity is about so much
more. The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge showcases the benefits real diversity and inclusion bring
to businesses and teams. Plus it’s a great day out that raises awareness alongside the fun.”
The welcome addresses were concluded with an inspirational Q&A with members of the GXO team.
Grey Gardner, who is transmasculine – and Ollie Rowley, who is deaf, both joined GXO in 2021 and
shared their experiences of working within the sector with the teams. Grey and Ollie shared 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) towards creating a more diverse
and inclusive industry.
Amongst the challenge suppliers, industry charity Transaid had participants testing their
communication skills across the ‘treacherous plains of Africa’ as part of their ‘Maze Runner’
challenge; whilst delivery partners Talent in Logistics saw teams working together to guide each
other through an inflatable obstacle course whilst blindfolded on the ‘Bring on the Beans’ challenge.
After a tiring day of quizzing, soapbox racing, and countless inflatables, awards were presented.
The Best Team Name Award, judged and presented by Alison Thwaite, WorkFit Employment
Development Manager at the Down’s Syndrome Association – key supporters of The Big Logistics
Diversity Challenge – to Woodland Group for ‘We Will Rack You!’.
The Transaid Award presented to the team who played to their skills, utilised all of the team and
showed the best teamwork during the Maze Runner challenge, was presented to ‘Born to Move’ of
DFDS by the charity’s representatives, Anna Giavedoni, Events Assistant and Maddy Matheson,
Communications Officer.
The Haka Award was presented by Laura Taylor, HR Director for the RHA, alongside BLDC Haka
Instructor Sol Cooper, of TOA Haka, to ‘Happier World’ from John Lewis & Partners, as the team who
showed diversity of thought and encouraged each other – echoing the pledge to work toward a
diverse and inclusive sector.
The Talent in Logistics Award, awarded to the best team performance during the ‘Bring on the Beans’
challenge, was presented to ‘Red Hot Chilli Steppers’ of DFDS by Managing Director, Laura Nelson.
The Collaborative Teamwork Award was judged by UKWA’s Chief Executive, Clare Bottle , against one
of the event’s favourite challenges – Walk the Plank. The winners were DHL Supply Chains’s ‘DIEB
Warriors’ – who displayed outstanding teamwork and motivational support.
And finally, the most coveted trophy of the day – The Team of the Year Award – for achieving the
highest overall score with an impressive 241.5 out of a possible 260, went to XPO Logistics! The 2023
winner’s trophy was presented by Vicky Binley, Director of event organisers, Nimble Media Ltd.
A Charity Tuck Shop, kindly supported by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and a Hamper Raffle raised
over £1,183.25 for the Transaid Charity.
The official images from the event will be available to view shortly on The Big Logistics Diversity
Challenge website.
A big thank you to all the teams attending. If your company would like to join The Big Logistics
Diversity Challenge 2024, please contact Nimble Media to secure your place.
Add 20 June 2024 to your diary and we hope to see you at #BLDC2024!
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