Port of Milford Haven one of the UK's best workplaces for women

It earned a spot in the top 100 in the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list, which celebrates employers who create inclusive, equitable, and empowering environments for women.

The recognition is based on employee feedback and highlights the port’s culture of safety, wellbeing, work-life balance, and inclusive policies.

Vidette Swales, HR director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: "I’m proud that our efforts to nurture a supportive, inclusive, and adaptable environment are making our employees feel valued and respected.

"We’ve consciously taken steps to improve gender diversity in our business by making improvements to our working practices and upgrading our facilities, and by showcasing the fantastic career opportunities in our sector to women and girls of all ages."

Currently, more than 30 per cent of the Port’s employees are women, with females holding 39 per cent of mid-management roles and 43 per cent of senior management and board positions.

Ms Swales said: "But we know there’s more to do, with many roles still heavily male-dominated.

"That’s why we’re a proud partner of a local initiative – SPARC – which is promoting gender diversity across sustainable power, renewables, and construction, where women are typically underrepresented.

"Through this partnership we’ve reached over 170 female learners aged 12 to 13 to spark their interest in maritime careers, and we’re looking forward to welcoming many of them to our teams in the years ahead."

The port’s culture is built around its values of safety, excellence, collaboration, and sustainability.

Its latest employee survey found these values are part of everyday work life.

One employee said: "The social and wellbeing activities and the support offered by the port is what makes it a great place to work."

Benedict Gautrey, managing director of Great Place To Work UK, said: "This year’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list highlights organisations that are moving beyond good intentions and delivering real, measurable progress.

"Congratulations to Port of Milford Haven for leading by example — and showing what a genuinely inclusive workplace can look like."