Business Unit Director – Unitised Rachel Beeken joined the business in 2020 after 20 years in the logistics sector, looking for a new challenge that would allow her to continue her development.
“I’m one of those people who didn’t have a life plan and just fell into a career. The logistics sector has given me so many opportunities to try something new.”
Rachel’s career path started with a weekend job in a flower supplier’s warehouse, sparking an interest in logistics and winning her a place on a competitive graduate scheme with M&S Food supplier Gist.
“It was a two-year programme that really gave a grounding in all aspects of that business, so six months rotations in warehousing, transport, head office and so on. It was a great training ground.”
Rachel credits her willingness to say yes to new things as key to her career success. “Gist is a company where, if you’re open to opportunities, they’ll give you a chance,” she says. “I wanted to see what was out there and made sacrifices to make it happen.”
Moving through the ranks at Gist meant regular relocations to depots across the UK, as team leader, shift manager, ops manager and transport planner before taking over as General Manager at some of the depots.
She credits Gist’s mentoring programme for supporting her progress. “They paired me with people who could teach me and see the bigger picture when I couldn’t see it myself,” she says. “It’s an approach we’ve introduced into the PD Ports Women’s Network Group, pairing people from different parts of the business and encouraging them to think long-term.”
After 17 years with Gist the relocations and 24/7 high-pressure, Rachel was ready for a change and relocated to the North-East for a fresh start.
A stint at PHS brought experience in multi-drop van deliveries but even more travelling. “I wanted something closer to home, a business with growth potential where I’d still have the chance to develop and learn new things,” she says.
Enter PD Ports and a role in the logistics team, as it was then known, to grow the division.
“I liked that PD Ports is a business really embedded in its community – I was new to the area and wanted to feel part of something making a difference.”
In 2024, the opportunity for another move was presented to Rachel – to lead Unitised. “That was an almost scary prospect, not having come from a port background,” she admits. “Again, I chose to say ‘yes’ – I was confident I had the skillset and capability to take it on, and knew there were lots of experienced people around me to help.
“It’s been an incredible two years, full of ups and downs, but what a privilege to lead this amazing part of this business. The people I work with are so knowledgeable and passionate – every day is different.”
Her best piece of advice for someone starting out in their career? “Don’t rush through learning the basics. Take the time to visit sites, learn how everything works, go up the crane, meet new people. “You’ve got to do the hard stuff – do the night shifts, learn the practical stuff.
“It’s at 2am when you’re stood in a refrigerated warehouse with everything going wrong and no one else around that you’ll really learn what you’re capable of.”