International Women’s Day at Roadchef

It's International Women's Day 2025 and we’re showcasing some of our amazing female team members and their achievements. We spoke to our team members Camilla Nutter (CN), Elaine Burt (EB), Roisin Morris (RM), Sarah Wilson (SW), and Amanda Mason (AM) about their experiences and moments that changed bias in the workplace.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #embracingequity.

At Roadchef , we are passionate about creating an environment where all our team members can thrive and where we can delight and destress our customers, regardless of anyone’s gender, race, age, sexuality or disability. Historically the motorway services sector has been male-dominated, but this is changing. Huge progress has been made and at Roadchef we’re proud that over half our total workforce are now women.

However, as the International Women’s Day theme for 2023 points out, equal opportunities are no longer enough. Embracing equity is the truest way to be inclusive, providing the right support, opportunities and resources that enable each individual entering Roadchef to benefit. There is always more that can be done, and we are on our journey to embracing equity. For now, on a day devoted to women, we’re going to celebrate the successes of some of our inspirational team members and learn more about their career experiences.

Let’s start by finding out how long you have all been working at Roadchef.

CN: I’ve been at Roadchef for 20 years! And have worked in a variety of roles.

EB: I have worked at Roadchef since July 2015, starting as a Site Director Designate at Clacket Lane on the M25.

RM: I’m the newbie. I’ve been at the company for just three months.

SW: I started on a part-time basis at Roadchef in 2004, whilst still at school. I then became a full-time employee in 2009, after leaving university. So, I've been here for around 19 years in total.

AM: Just over two years. I started during the pandemic, and it's been wonderful to be part of the journey of supporting our customers getting back on the road.

So, tell us a bit about your career with Roadchef so far.

CN: I started as a Travel Inn Team Leader at Killington Lake straight out of university. I was promoted to Hotel Manager at Watford Gap the following year, before I moved back to Killington Lake a year later. I spent the next 15 years at the services doing a multitude of roles including cluster managing Killington and Durham, Acting Ops Manager and then gradually moving into a support role. I've been in my current role since 2019.

EB: I started by working alongside the Site Director at Clacket Lane for 15 months and was then given the opportunity to move south to Rownhams, as the Site Director, in October 2016 – just after my 50th birthday.

RM: I'm responsible for three areas - development/acquisition, projects and maintenance. I joined at an exciting time. We are looking at acquisitions, leases that give us much longer terms and getting planning permission for two new service areas. Alongside this, we have 88 separate projects that have either started or are about to, ranging from brand new McDonald’s Drive Thrus to Changing Places toilets, showers, and self- ordering kiosks. And in maintenance we also have a very busy year ahead, ensuring our sites are safe and compliant with regulations.

SW: I began my career working in the Costa at Tibshelf in 2004. I was promoted to Store Manager in 2012, before I moved to manage the Costa at Norton Canes in 2013. Following that I was promoted to a Costa Brand Advisor in 2015 and then to Site Director Designate of Norton Canes in 2017. Two years later I moved into a commercial role, as Costa/Cornish Bakery Brand Controller, where I remain today.

AM: It's only been two years, and in that time I had a baby so I took five months off. Roadchef was (and still is) amazingly supportive to me as a new parent, and really helped me find a balance. The first year as a working Mum had its challenges, but I have an incredibly understanding manager, who doesn't mind my weekly moan at my lack of sleep.

What has been your highlight of working at Roadchef?

CN: There really have been too many to count! I really love when we've seen the completion of a big project. For example, last year we rolled out a new Property Management System to all 17 of our hotels in just three months. Seeing people progress is also great. I employed a 17-year-old housekeeper at Killington 17 years ago. She's just returned to Roadchef and been promoted to Hotel Manager within a year - and is one of the nominees for our internal Hotel of the Year award this year. We also have exciting plans for our hotel business that will begin in the next few weeks and seeing those finally come to fruition will be a definite highlight!

EB: My biggest achievement is building a solid team at Rownhams by putting people first and building an internal succession plan. Because of this the business is growing in terms of profit and people engagement.

RM: My career has spanned hotel, retail, roadside and forecourts and this job allows me to use my experience from all those different areas at once - that’s the beauty and excitement of a motorway service area. Sometimes it feels like my whole career has been preparing me for this job at Roadchef! There is something special about people who work in hospitality - the attitude is always 'how can I make your day/ stay/ experience better'- it's a personality thing I think. Whatever it is, Roadchef people have it in spades as everyone is so welcoming and helpful.

SW: I have several. Being the Ops Lead for the transformation of the Costa Unit at Norton Canes back in 2014, which helped us become the biggest Costa outlet in the world by revenue. While working as the Site Director Designate at Norton Canes in 2018 and 2019, the service area was awarded the title of No.1 Motorway Service Area in the country for two successive years, by Transport Focus. And finally, in 2015, I was the Ops Lead for the opening of the first Costa Drive Thru on the motorway network – this was a huge success and we have rolled out many more outlets since.

AM: I have two - setting up the campaigns and sites for summer 2021, where we had our best summer yet; supporting the staycation boom and being the first stop of fun on your summer holiday. The second was working with Yvadney Davis to celebrate Black History Month in October 2022; where we used our power of on-site digital advertising to showcase Yvadney as an up-and-coming black artist.

Service areas have historically been male-dominated. How have you found it working in the sector?

CN: When I started 20 years ago, service area hotels were seen as a much more feminine side of the business, and I felt like I was expected to the be the ‘pink and fluffy’ person on site. I'd get sent to deal with the team member in tears, or I'd be the note-taker in disciplinaries rather than the one leading the process. Or an idea that I'd come up with would be ignored, but one of the male managers would suggest the same thing and be applauded for it. I think there has been a huge improvement over the years, but I'm still amazed by some of the comments made by men without thinking – it's a work in progress.

EB: I have certainly found it challenging working in a male-dominated environment. However, I have also avoided some of the pressure that males working together experience. I take a ‘training for war’ approach to work and am happy to challenge people whatever environment I am in.

RM: In my opinion, it’s only a disadvantage if you allow it to be. In some ways being the only woman in a room means you are instantly memorable, so I have used that as an opportunity to be heard and get my point across.

SW: Without doubt, it has been a real challenge and experience. But it very quickly helped my personal development by pushing me to develop the traits and habits required to succeed in a male-dominated world. For me that has meant being assertive, staying positive, being a life-long learner, caring about being respected more than liked, learning how to handle conflict, taking on leadership roles and supporting other women.

AM: I don't really think of the sector as male dominated; there are lots of inspirational women at Roadchef and the wider sector who fly the flag for us women so well, and we've got some great male allies in the business who are always keen to support women in the workplace.

Is there anything that makes you proud to be a woman working at Roadchef?

CN: There's a definite sense of family and that we all support each other, regardless of gender, age or anything else for that matter. And we're always so proud of each other's achievements.

EB: I am extremely proud of being a woman in Roadchef. The company operates in a way that allows me to run my area of the business through people engagement and development. And by nurturing people, I truly believe everyone can be successful.

RM: The opportunities at Roadchef are endless, regardless to your gender, religion, sexuality. But when it comes to women, I'm really happy to see that we work hard to support the existing staff to grow and advance. My biggest point of pride is that the people are so caring – every week there is a sponsored event where big-hearted staff are helping climbing mountains, running marathons or doing silent discos for customers or charities - it’s inspiring.

SW: The things that I have led and been involved with that have helped the company achieve its goals during the time I have been a full-time employee of Roadchef.

AM: Having a woman's opinion heard at the table is integral to any commercial decision we're making - as we're a business that supports the whole country, and 50% of that populate is female. I'm proud that as a working woman at Roadchef, my opinions are heard and discussed.

What is the best piece of career advice you've been given?

CN: There are a couple that have really stuck with me. Firstly, you need to always sound very sure of yourself, as you will need to prove yourself that little bit more because you're a woman. And secondly, remember that, if you're invited to the room, your opinion counts as much as everyone else in that room.

EB: The best advice I have been given is to be yourself. Have confidence in what you do and can do, and the progression will come. Don’t spend time worrying about the next thing, just concentrate on the now and be proud of yourself.

RM: Go. For. It. I think 'imposter syndrome' is more prevalent in women than men, and often the only thing holding you back is your insecurity. I also believe that we learn as much from our mistakes as our successes, so – just go for it!

SW: Standing up for yourself, by being assertive, and staying positive.

AM: Never stop learning.

What advice can you give to other women in the industry to progress their careers?

CN: Be yourself. I spent a long time thinking I'd never fit in because I wasn't like people who were getting the promotions. I tried to be like that, but it never sounded or felt authentic because I was trying to be somebody I wasn’t. There is nothing wrong with being yourself, there are many ways of getting results.

EB: The best advice I can give to other women in the industry, who are applying for the roles that might have traditionally been seen as male dominated, is: don't be afraid. You need to have a mindset that ‘you will be successful’, regardless to whether you are working in an environment that is male dominant.

RM: Get a mentor and be a mentor. There will be times when you just want to bounce ideas off someone in your field and help each other with networking. And it's fun.

SW: It is absolutely essential to develop the required traits and habits if you are to succeed in a male-dominated world.

AM: Reach out to people you admire and ask them for advice. I've gained so much from some wonderful mentors in my life, and continue to do so.

Finally, what does IWD mean to you and why is it important to celebrate it?

CN: It's a great opportunity to recognise the amazing, strong women I am surrounded by every day. It's so important to highlight that not all women around the world are given the same opportunities and IWD is playing a vital role in pushing for equity in the workplace.

EB: IWD has been important to me as it has shown women can be successful and you can have the life you want. It’s important that there is more awareness around what women are doing, particularly in this industry, and their successes need to be celebrated to encourage more women to join male dominated industries.

RM: I’m looking forward to the day when we achieve total equity and IWD becomes unnecessary. That’s real success! However, until then, I think it’s positive to have a day that reminds people not only to celebrate the women in their lives and organisations, but also that we haven’t achieved parity yet. In my role, I’m incredibly conscious of the opportunities I can help afford women earlier in their careers by ensuring IWD is celebrated loudly.

SW: IWD is a global day to highlight and celebrate the various achievements of women in an attempt to secure equality for women. I think it is an extremely important event that helps us try and secure greater equality for women.

AM: It's a day I look forward to every year as it highlights women's contribution to the business world, but also the wider world. It's a great day to celebrate how businesses are working to take forward their DEI strategy.?As well as celebrating women, IWD also highlights the gender disparity we see in the workplace and the wider world - it's important we don't lose sight of this and continue to strive for gender equality.