Kate Lester (entrepreneur)

Kate Lester
Born Kathryn Louise Lester
22 August 1971
Bentley, Perth, Western Australia
Nationality British
Occupation CEO and Founder of Diamond Logistics
Website
http://www.katelester.com

Kate Lester (born Kathryn Louise Lester on 22 August 1971) is an entrepreneur in the transport and logistics industry based in the UK. She is the founder and CEO of Diamond Logistics.

Career

Diamond Logistics was originally a one depot business. Lester has had other interests in logistic-based industries including Logistics software, a London courier company, Citybikes and consulted for regional transport and courier companies involved in other networks such as Palletways.

Lester was chairman of the Despatch Association from 2005 to 2008 and was on the committee of the Nation Courier Association.

She made her national reputation launching Diamond Logistics as a network of franchised depots proving same day, overnight and international courier services, with local storage and despatch facilities. The franchise network was launched in 2012.[1]

Charity

Lester sponsors various charities via the 21 in 21 campaign at Diamond Logistics.[2]

Awards

Lester was awarded the title of Entrepreneur of the Year at ENCON2013 at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, presented by Alistair McGowan and Raz Razak of The Secret Millionaire.[3] She was nominated number 11 in the So Surrey Power List Top 20 in 2011 and was a finalist in the Surrey Business Person of the Year 2009.[4]

In 2014 Kate was a finalist in the Freight Transport Association, everywoman Transport & Logistics awards in the Director of the Year category.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Diamond Logistics to roll out 20 franchises in 2014". getSurrey. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Diamond Logistics to benefit charities". startups.co.uk. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Entrepreneur of the Year Kate Lester: Meritocracy and Quotas Have Failed to Increase Women in FTSE 100". IBtimes. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Surrey Business Awards and the winners are...". Surrey Life. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "everywoman Awards". everywoman. 2014-05-13. Retrieved 14 May 2014.

External links