In what are affectionately referred to as the Working Women’s Oscars, Reading Buses has been recognised as a finalist.
The company, which now employs 57% more women bus drivers than five years’ ago, has been named as a finalist for the Company of the Year award.
Judges of the NatWest Venus Awards Thames Valley have acknowledged the part that Reading Buses has played in bucking the trend to employ women in the transport industry.
Eighteen percent of the Reading Buses total workforce are women, 106 out 584 employees, and almost one in four drivers recruited in 2016 are female.
The only Reading-based Company of the Year finalist, Reading Buses is pitted against three other companies in its category, including a premium wine firm, a ventilation specialist and a firm of solicitors.
Said Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses HR Director: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards referred to as the Working Women’s Oscars.
“As well as our commitment to increasing the number of women in transport, the judges of the Venus Awards have recognised our customer focus and innovation.
“Similarly, Reading Buses’ commitment to helping reduce car dependency for access to Reading .”
She said the Thames Valley Venus Awards were formed in 2009 to recognise, reward and celebrate local working women in business.
The awards, which started in Dorset, have since spread around the country and come to the Thames Valley for its first year.
A glittering ceremony will recognise women across the Thames Valley at the Madejski Stadium on June 9. Winners of each category will be entered into the national awards and announced on July 13.