Celebrating a legacy and paving the way for the future of women in maritime
In 1974, WISTA was born with the mission of empowering women in the shipping, logistics and trade sectors, while ensuring they have a community and network to collaborate with and find support in.
WISTA was founded by three visionary women – Pat Butler, Sheila Lawrence and Stella Marks (then known as Stella Inghams) who arranged to meet for a Christmas lunch with the goal of creating a network for women in the maritime industry. These women recognised the challenges that female professionals faced in an industry historically dominated by men. Their vision was simple yet ambitious: to build a supportive community of women who could help each other succeed and drive change in the maritime, shipping and trading sectors.
Since its inception, WISTA has become a powerful force for gender equality, representation and leadership within the maritime sector. Today, WISTA has grown into a global organisation with more than 5,000 members and 62 national associations, continuing to celebrate and highlight the invaluable contributions of women in maritime.
WISTA’s mission remains the same; to empower women in the maritime industry by offering networking opportunities, professional development, education and advocacy. Through this work, WISTA has not only fostered individual career growth but has also contributed significantly to creating more inclusive, innovative and dynamic workplaces.
To mark this milestone anniversary, a small gathering of the WISTA UK board, founders and close allies had the privilege of being hosted for breakfast at the House of Commons 50 years to the day WISTA was founded. Nusrat Ghani, Chairman of Ways and Means, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and former Minister of State for Transport was our host and sponsor. Nusrat, who was also named WISTA UK’s Woman of the Year earlier in the summer, engaged in thoughtful discussions with the attendees, discussing the growth of maritime and also making it more inclusive going forward. This was also a special opportunity to discuss the achievements of WISTA, reflect on its journey so far, and look at the pressing challenges facing the maritime sector today. It was a moment for the members to connect with policymakers, industry leaders and fellow professionals, all while celebrating the global impact of WISTA.
For those of us fortunate enough to share the day with the founding members of WISTA, Gina Fyffe and Stella Marks, it was inspiring. Both women, now seasoned veterans in the industry, demonstrated that gender and age are no barriers to making a difference. Their continued involvement in lobbying for change, particularly in ensuring the advancement of women in maritime, was evident throughout the day. Despite the many battles they’ve fought, they remain as passionate as ever, tirelessly pushing for improvements in gender equity and diversity and the maritime industry generally.
During the day, one particularly engaging conversation centered around the current state of global ship building and the pressing issue of UK talent export. The attendees shared insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector, from the rise of green shipping technologies to the potential for growth within the UK’s own maritime workforce. The conversation was not just about the present, but also the future, and also how WISTA members, many of whom hold leadership positions in companies, are paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable and innovative future.
With increasing pressures around sustainability, many of the industry’s leaders are turning their attention to greener technologies and a key question was raised: can the UK become a leader in this transition? With talent going across borders, the discussion moved toward what needs to happen on home soil to develop and retain the next generation of maritime professionals. It was a fascinating conversation, one that highlighted how essential it is for women to be at the table when decisions about the future of the sector are made.
Following the breakfast, we were treated to an exclusive tour of the houses of Parliament, and a visit to the Madam Deputy Speaker’s office. Along the way, we had the honour of meeting the Speaker of the house Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Serjeant at Arms Ugbana Oyet, and the Doorkeepers, further deepening our connection to the political heart of the UK.
As we walked around the House of Commons, there was a sense of history in the air, reflecting the long-standing battle for gender equality in all sectors. This tour also served as a poignant reminder of the influence that organizations like WISTA have in shaping the future of industries that were once inaccessible to many.
We then proceeded to return to the place where it all began… Ye Old Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street where the founders of WISTA met 50 years prior to have their first meeting. From these humble beginnings was WISTA as it is today formed. The venue, steeped in centuries of history, served as a fitting backdrop to reflect on how far the organization has come and how much further it has to go. For Gina and Stella, returning here after so many years felt like a beautiful full-circle moment. The evening was filled with stories and laughter, where we were also joined by WISTA members from USA and Sweden, as well as Lloyd’s List and other industry friends.
Reflecting on the day, we hope that the legacy of WISTA will continue for the decades to come. The inspiring conversation, dynamic networking, and celebrations at the House of Commons and Ye Old Cheshire Cheese reminded everyone of how far the maritime sector has come and the vital role that women will play in its future.
