BUSINESSWOMAN Vicki Davenport is in the pink after being named as a finalist in national awards.

Vicki, sales and commercial director of haulage business The Pink Link from Netherton, is one of three finalists for the 2009 MAN Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards in the Director of the Year category.

Winners will be announced at a luncheon at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London on May 14.

The awards highlight the huge contribution women make to an industry which is traditionally dominated by men. Her motto is ‘get it right first time’ and she pays the greatest attention to detail. She attributes her success to excellent organisational skills.

Since returning to her father’s business, she has improved customer relations by allocating a customer service manager to each client.

The company also offers flexible working hours for women with families, including part time working and also boasts a high retention of staff.

Not only is Vicki determined in her career, she works with local schools and demonstrates her competitive streak through charity events.

Pink Link has raised almost £55,000 for charities since 2001 – with Kirkwood Hospice, the Laura Crane Trust, the Forget Me Mot Trust and Dominic Rodgers Trust among beneficiaries.

The family-run firm, with almost 50 employees, has staged a string of spectacular fundraising events. It stages The Pink Ball in October every second year as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last year it donated money to eight organisations supporting cancer and MS sufferers and warning about carbon monoxide poisoning. Since 2005, staff have run the Cancer Research UK Race For Life three times and Vicki and driver James Atherton did the Jane Tomlinson Run in Leeds.

She said: “I really believe in putting something back into the community.

“Business is business but we all have a responsibility to the community.”