Paul Hill speaks to some of the most influential female leaders in wholesale to ask about their challenges, what they have learnt, and find out what advice they would give from their years in the channel
Debbie Harrison, joint managing director, Pricecheck Brand Partners:
What have you learned from being a female leader in wholesale? Within Pricecheck, being a female has never been a barrier to mine or anyone’s career. My mother and father were a partnership, just like my brother and I are now. Diversity has always been the norm for us and has been a driving factor of our growth.
It wasn’t until a couple of years into my career, when I became a salesperson looking after wholesale and convenience, that I learned how few women there actually were in the industry. Everywhere was completely male dominated. Fortunately, times have changed, and it’s really positive to see other businesses take big steps to address gender inequality.
What advice would you give to other females looking to further their careers in wholesale?
I strongly recommend finding a mentor to share experiences with, as having one was the single biggest influence on my professional success. Beyond that, you must seize every opportunity that comes your way and accept that while you can do anything, you cannot do everything; delegation is essential for growth.
What is the biggest challenge women face in wholesale? As in all industries that have historically been male dominated, it’s harder to break into leadership roles, and there are fewer role models for women to look up to.
Cherryl Murray, depot manager, LWC:
What you have learnt from being a female leader in wholesale? The biggest thing I’ve learnt is to be yourself. We’ve all started somewhere, and remembering what that’s like really matters. For me, that means having a voice but also listening and understanding the day-to-day realities of the team.
Running a depot at LWC is a unique experience in that it’s a bit like running your own business – you’re responsible for performance, service and making sure everything runs smoothly day to day, while also building a strong, safe and motivated team.
Strong relationship building is key. It comes down to backing and trusting your team, being consistent in how you lead, and sharing knowledge so others can grow. At LWC, there’s a real sense of independence in how you lead and run your depot. Everyone has their own approach and style, and you’re trusted to do it your way. That’s been key to building a motivated and supportive team that performs.
What advice would you give to other females looking to further their career in wholesale? My advice would be to just go for it! Take every opportunity you can to build your knowledge and experience. Wholesale offers so many different paths, and the more you get involved, the more you learn and the more confident you become. Be open about your ambitions too, and let your line manager know where you want to go.
Make sure you’re making the most of the support around you. At LWC, that might be putting yourself forward for something like a Women in Leadership course, joining the Women’s Network, or getting involved in the mentoring programme. Sometimes though, it’s just about having someone to talk to and learn from day to day.
There’s more support now than ever before, and it can take lots of different forms. Finding what works for you can really help build confidence and connect you with others who’ve had similar experiences.
Lastly, don’t let failure put you off. I’ve taken on a lot of different roles in the business over the years, and I haven’t always felt successful in all of them but I’ve always learnt something valuable along the way. Sometimes you don’t know if something is right for you until you try, so take the risk and back yourself.
Read more: Rowland hands over Women in Wholesale keys to FWD
What is the biggest challenge women face in wholesale? Perception has probably been the biggest challenge. When I first joined the industry, it was very male dominated, which could feel quite daunting, especially in operational roles.
At LWC I’m now one of three female depot managers…a role that thirty years ago you probably wouldn’t associate with a woman. So, although there’s still a lot more to do, I think it shows things are moving in the right direction and that operations doesn’t have to be seen as a ‘male’ career path.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some incredibly strong, confident women, and being supported by leaders who recognised my drive and encouraged me to take risks has made a huge difference.
For me, it’s about continuing to shift those perceptions and showing that wholesale is a place where women can build a career, take on real responsibility and succeed.
Cheryl Hope, trading director, Parfetts:
What have you learned from being a female leader in wholesale? Wholesale is all about relationships, perhaps more so than many other industries, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout my career is the importance of being yourself. People respond to authenticity. When you are open, approachable and true to your values, it helps build trust and long-term partnerships.
When I first started in wholesale, there were very few women in senior positions, so it’s been encouraging to see attitudes and representation improve over time. There is still more progress to make, but the industry has become much more inclusive and supportive. I’m proud to be involved in initiatives such as Women Leading Wholesale because visibility matters, and it’s important that people entering the industry can see different types of leadership. Women often bring different perspectives and experiences to the table, and that diversity of thought is good for teams, good for customers and ultimately good for business.”
What advice would you give to other females looking to further their careers in wholesale? One of the best pieces of advice I could give is to find a mentor and build a strong support network around you. Having someone you trust as a sounding board can make a huge difference, whether you’re navigating challenges, making career decisions, or building your confidence. I’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic mentors throughout my career, and I learned a great deal from their guidance and experience.
I’d also encourage people to put themselves forward for opportunities, even if they don’t feel completely ready. Confidence grows over time, and experience is often the best teacher. Networking is incredibly important in wholesale because relationships are at the heart of the industry.
Now that I’m in a position to mentor others myself, I genuinely enjoy supporting people at the start of their careers. It’s very much a two-way process, and I think senior leaders have an important role to play in helping develop the next generation of talent.”
What is the biggest challenge women face in wholesale? For many women, one of the biggest challenges is balancing work and family life. If you have a young family, there can often be a feeling of guilt that you’re constantly trying to manage, whether that’s around work commitments or time at home. It’s something many people experience, but it can still be difficult to navigate.
The positive change I’ve seen over the years is that there is now far greater recognition of the importance of balance and well-being. When I started my career, flexibility was far less common than it is today. Businesses are becoming more understanding and supportive, helping create a more inclusive environment for working parents.
There is still work to do, but the conversation has definitely moved forward in a positive way. Open discussions, supportive leadership and better flexibility are all helping women build long and successful careers in wholesale without feeling they have to choose between professional and personal life.
