Addison Lee teams up with Think Pink to recruit more women taxi and private hire drivers in London
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Private hire operator Addison Lee has partnered with Think Pink in a move aimed at increasing the number of women entering the taxi and private hire profession in London.
The initiative will provide targeted training and mentorship designed to support women seeking to become licensed drivers. The programme is intended to help participants develop the practical skills, confidence and industry knowledge needed to work within the capital’s regulated private hire sector.
Women currently account for less than 7% of all taxi and private hire drivers across the UK and under 2.5% in London, according to figures cited by the partners. The collaboration seeks to address this gender imbalance by encouraging more women to consider the profession while creating more flexible employment opportunities.
The partnership was formally launched during an event held at Addison Lee’s fleet hub in West Drayton on Wednesday. Representatives from both organisations used the event to outline plans for supporting new female entrants and to highlight the wider need for increased diversity within the transport sector.
Training and mentoring initiative aims to address long-standing gender imbalance in London’s taxi and private hire workforce.
Xhejsi Xhony, a driver working with Addison Lee, said the profession had provided a flexible career that could fit around personal commitments. She said entering the industry can initially feel daunting because of the relatively small number of female drivers, but added that the partnership sends a message that more women are welcome and will receive support.
Mary Storrie, chief executive of Think Pink, said the collaboration aims to create stronger pathways for women entering the profession. She added that the initiative seeks to address long-standing barriers while building a supportive community for female drivers in London’s private hire sector.
The project forms part of wider industry efforts to broaden participation within the taxi and private hire workforce. Operators and advocacy groups have increasingly explored recruitment and training initiatives aimed at improving diversity while supporting driver supply in urban markets.
Patrick Gallagher, Interim CEO at Addison Lee, said: “The private hire profession needs to become more accessible for everyone. This partnership with Think Pink 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.”
Lilian Greenwood, Minister for Local Transport, said: “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.”
