WISTA turns 50!

WISTA, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association turns 50 this year! The organisation was originally set up in 1974 by three women representing the Netherlands, UK, and Germany. The primary purpose of the Association was to help promote networking in exchange for the sharing of experiences among women working in the sector.

Spinnaker, interviewed about 3 active members of WISTA UK – Managing Director, Teresa Peacock, Head of Marketing & Business Development, Helen McCaughran, and Senior Recruitment Consultant, Hayley Menere. As we celebrate 50 years of WISTA, we asked them how the shipping industry has changed since they began working in the sector and any advice they’d give to women starting out in maritime.

Teresa Peacock

I fell into maritime really, I had been working in Search & Selection for twenty years and had successfully sold my company. After taking some time off, I was looking for my next challenge, I was introduced to Phil Parry and became fascinated by this industry I knew nothing about. He asked me to join Spinnaker and sixteen years later I am still as fascinated and engaged in the industry! We specialise in placing great people into great companies, I personally handle all of the Executive Searches for the business, generally C-Suite level, but also for those more difficult-to-fill roles.

Helen McCaughran

I have been working in the shipping industry for the last 8 years (since I first stepped into the Spinnaker office!). When I first joined the company, it was in a newly created role in the HR Consulting team and the focus was on new business development for the Maritime HR Association. This is a member’s ‘club’ for shipowners and shipmanagers who want help to ensure they are paying their shore-based staff correctly.

The role grew over the years to include a new membership club for employers of crew, the Seafarer Employers’ Association, a leadership development programme, and I was also tasked with growing Spinnaker’s annual conference for the maritime HR community.

I stumbled into the shipping industry by accident. I was at a maritime festival in my hometown of Leigh-on-Sea and Spinnaker were a sponsor of the event. I picked up a business card and after researching them I thought they looked like a great local company, so I sent my CV in cold to Teresa Peacock and the rest is history.

Hayley Menere

I’ve been in maritime for nearly 5 years. I was introduced to the sector at a careers event that Spinnaker were exhibiting at. When I was made redundant in 2019, I sent my CV to Teresa Peacock and the rest is history.

More info: Spinnaker

About WISTA POLAND:

Photos: Marek Grzybowski WISTA Poland meetings