Driving Change: How a New Partnership Aims to Boost Women in London’s Private Hire Industry
A significant gender imbalance persists within the UK’s private hire and taxi sector. According to licensing data, women represent less than 7% of all licensed drivers nationwide, a figure that drops to under 2.5% in London. This stark statistic highlights a structural barrier within the profession, one that a new collaboration between Addison Lee and Think Pink, powered by the Rosie May Foundation, is actively working to dismantle.
A Strategic Partnership to Break Down Barriers
The initiative formally launched at Addison Lee’s West Drayton fleet hub, marking a coordinated effort to make driving careers more accessible and sustainable for women. The core of the partnership is a dedicated support system, combining Addison Lee’s operational scale with Think Pink’s specialist focus on female drivers. This includes tailored training modules, mentorship programmes, and practical guidance to navigate the licensing process and build confidence on the road.
“The private hire profession needs to become more accessible for everyone,” stated Patrick Gallagher, Interim CEO at Addison Lee. “This partnership will build on the community of female drivers already working with Addison Lee by widening access to coaching, networking and practical support to help more women join – and thrive – on the road.”
Empowerment Through Community and Support
For women already in the industry, the initiative reinforces a supportive network. Xhejsi Xhony, a female driver with Addison Lee, shared her experience: “Becoming a private hire driver has given me a career that works around my life, not the other way around. Stepping into this profession can feel daunting at first, particularly when you don’t see many women doing it, but Addison Lee has always been incredibly supportive. The partnership with Think Pink reinforces a clear message that there is room for more of us and that we’ll be supported along the way.”
The goal extends beyond recruitment. Mary Storrie, CEO at Think Pink, explained the long-term vision: “Through this partnership with Addison Lee, we aim not only to empower more women to become professional drivers in London, but to embed long-term change across the transport sector by reinforcing supportive pathways, dismantling historical gender barriers and creating a stronger community within private hire driving.”
Flexibility as a Key Driver for Career Change
The promise of flexible, self-directed work is a major attraction. Mindy Ryait, a London-based air hostess transitioning to a Private Hire Vehicle (PCO) licence, exemplifies this trend. “After years of working in cabin crew, I reached a point where I wanted more control over my time and my future. Becoming a private hire driver offers the flexibility to build a career around my life, rather than adjusting my life around a rota,” she said.
Ryait highlights the psychological boost provided by structured support: “Partnerships like Think Pink and Addison Lee help make the transition feel achievable. Knowing there’s a network in place to guide and encourage women like me gives me the confidence to take this step and work towards being my own boss.”
Government Backing and Sector-Wide Implications
The initiative has garnered official endorsement. Lilian Greenwood, Minister for Local Transport, commented: “It’s fantastic to see an initiative which makes a career in private hire vehicle driving more accessible for women. This partnership not only opens doors to rewarding careers but also offers the practical skills and confidence to aspiring drivers so they can succeed.”
By addressing the pipeline problem with concrete support, the Addison Lee and Think Pink partnership seeks to create a tangible shift. If successful, it could serve as a model for the wider transport sector, improving diversity while providing a solution to driver recruitment challenges by tapping into a significantly underutilized workforce. The focus remains on building a profession where career sustainability and gender parity are not mutually exclusive.
Image Credit: www.phtm.co.uk
