Today we offer the second instalment of our ‘Friday Fifteen’ list – 15 women who are making their mark in the Liverpool city region business world – a continuation of our International Women’s Day focus

 

With this week’s trio of successful women we are throwing the spotlight on sectors that have long been male-dominated.

Both Sarah Madden of Trinity Logistics and Emma Wilson of Mersey Maritime are high flyers in the city’s region’s £5bn maritime sector while Serena Silcock-Prince is a member of the sixth generation of Southport’s Silcock Leisure Group.

Check out LBN every Friday for the next few weeks to see who else is on the Friday Fifteen list…

 

Serena Silcock-Prince is the head of operations at Silcock’s Leisure Group, a family-run business that has been a cornerstone of Southport’s seaside heritage for generations.

Inspired by the remarkable women in her family, Serena carries forward a legacy of resilience and determination.

Her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Jackson, broke barriers in the early 20th century by founding the Café on Stilts on the seafront, demonstrating that women could excel in business despite societal expectations.

Serena is also a busy mum and wife, balancing her family life with her career while drawing inspiration from her heritage to guide her.

“International Women’s Day reminds us that while progress has been made, there is still work to do. It’s a call to action for all women to unite, share our experiences, and lift each other up in our personal and professional journeys,” she said.

Today, Serena’s mission extends beyond her own successful career. She actively supports local women in business, alongside charities and organisations, fostering an environment where women’s voices are amplified and their aspirations realised.

And she believes that when women come together, barriers can be broken, and extraordinary things can happen.

Her dedication to empowering women is a testament to the strength of her family’s legacy-  it’s a legacy that continues to pave the way for future generations.

Serena added: “As we look back on International Women’s Day, let us continue to celebrate that legacy by standing together and supporting one another in the pursuit of our dreams.”

 

 

Sarah Madden is the commercial director at Liverpool freight forwarding and logistics firm Trinity Logistics. A female-led business, Trinity employs 12 people and was founded by Amanda Unsworth who herself worked on the docks.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the male-dominated shipping and logistics sector across multiple different roles, Sarah has played a pivotal role in the growth of Trinity. In the past year alone the firm has secured 20 new clients and Sarah has been key to that growth.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked hard to prove who I am and show that I can succeed in this industry. I’m deeply grateful to Amanda for the opportunities she’s given me, which have been transformative in terms of my personal journey,” said Sarah.

“As a mum of two young girls, I’m passionate about showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I love what I do and am committed to empowering others to break down barriers and reach their full potential.

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and to recognise the powerful women who are shaping the future.

“It reminds us of the importance of continuing to support and uplift one another, creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.”

 

 

Emma Wilson is marketing and events manager at Mersey Maritime, the industry cluster organisation that is the voice for Liverpool city region’s £5bn-plus maritime sector.

Along with chief executive Ruth Wood and head of policy and innovation Simon Eardley, Emma works with Mersey Maritime’s hundreds of members, who cover more than 30 sub-sectors including shipping, logistics, professional services, tech firms and academia.

She joined Mersey Maritime in November 2021 from Regenda Group and prior to that had worked for Port of Liverpool owner and operator, Peel Ports. Emma’s job title barely does her justice as she plays an essential role in the running of the whole organisation.

Mersey Maritime delivers a number of events for its members throughout the year and Emma is the driving force behind that programme, solely responsible for the smooth running of their annual conference and the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards – one of biggest and best-attended events on the city region business calendar.

“Maritime is traditionally a very male-dominated environment and I’m proud of the fact that, along with Ruth and Simon, I am doing my bit to ensure the maritime industry more reflects the diversity of our wider society in the years to come,” said Emma.

“Although it doesn’t always get the same recognition as other sectors, maritime is critical to Liverpool city region’s economy, supporting almost 50,000 jobs. Thanks to the work of Mersey Maritime we have not just a strong national profile, but a global one too.

“Ruth has been an incredible support to me personally throughout my career – she is a real example of women who pave the way for others to succeed. She is one of an increasing number of brilliant women working in maritime and I believe we need to celebrate their achievements all year round, not just on one day.”