T.Equality: Driving Change, Breaking Boundaries

At T.Quality, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, supplying everything from quality ingredients and frozen foods to packaging and hygiene products across the country. With over 100 years of heritage behind us, we’re constantly evolving—expanding into new markets, embracing innovation, and, crucially, building a strong, inclusive culture that values and champions talent from all backgrounds.

One of the most exciting parts of that evolution is the growing visibility and impact of women across our business. From field-based sales roles to operations, finance, management, and depot leadership, women are helping to shape the future of T.Quality and the wider foodservice industry.

The wholesale sector has seen a notable increase in female representation at senior levels. According to a survey by Women in Wholesale (WiW), the proportion of women at board level in UK wholesale has risen from 11% to 20% over the past six years, marking an 82% increase. However, this still lags behind other industries, where the average stands at 29%. Furthermore, women occupy an estimated 9% of senior management and executive positions in the top 30 UK wholesale companies, compared to 26% across the FTSE 100. These figures highlight both the progress made and the work still needed to achieve gender parity in the industry.

For Zoe Addison, our Finance Director, joining the board as the first female member marks a major milestone. Overseeing finance, credit control, and IT, she plays a key strategic role in the business. “TQ hires the best person for the job, regardless of gender,” Zoe explains. “But I’m really proud to see women now represented at every level—from warehouse operatives to depot managers.”

In Bovey Tracey, Sales Centre Manager Sarah Davie leads a fast-paced operation that serves a diverse range of customers. With over a decade of experience at T.Quality, she’s passionate about developing her team and building strong relationships. “There’s a real sense of camaraderie here,” she says. “It’s all about helping each other succeed.”

That theme of progression runs strongly through the journey of Kirsty Longhorn, who started as a Sales Advisor and now works as Key Business Development Executive for the North. “Five years ago I didn’t know anything about the industry,” she says. “Now I’m supporting key accounts and building business relationships across the country.” Kirsty returned from maternity leave into a new field sales role—something she never imagined when she joined. “I’d tell any woman thinking about a career in foodservice: just go for it. You don’t realise how exciting and varied this world is until you’re in it.”

Business Development Manager Lorna Brown shares that enthusiasm. She thrives on the customer interaction and freedom her role brings. “I love being on the road and working directly with customers,” she says. “It’s never felt male-dominated to me—there’s always been a mix across our teams.”

At our Glasgow depot, Team Leader Laura Brown manages the sales team and oversees our trade counter, reception, and export orders. She’s had a series of promotions since starting as a Sales Advisor, and was recently nominated for Employee of the Year at the Scottish Wholesale Awards. “It’s fast-paced and intense—but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says. “The culture here is supportive, and we’re always encouraged to grow.”

Meanwhile, Operations Manager Tina Lynch has been leading transformation at our Avonmouth depot. Her focus on team empowerment and process improvement has helped the site move forward with renewed energy. “I’ve faced challenges along the way, sure,” she says. “But I’ve always believed in the value of showing up, doing the work, and leading with empathy.”

In Leeds, Sales Centre Manager Maria Bainton brings a uniquely valuable perspective to her role—having once been a T.Quality customer herself. She joined the company five years ago, during the COVID pandemic, stepping into a Sales Advisor role. Her journey has since seen her rise to leading our busy Leeds Sales Centre. “Coming from a shop background, I knew what I valued in a supplier – reliability, great service, and strong relationships,” Maria says. “I’ve been lucky enough to grow within T.Quality and now get to support customers the same way I was once supported. It’s been a brilliant journey so far.” Her dual insight—from behind the counter and within the business—has helped her build strong customer relationships while supporting her team through the day-to-day challenges of a busy sales environment.

Across the board, these women are not only succeeding—they’re redefining what leadership looks like in foodservice. They all point to the same values: trust, opportunity, collaboration, and mutual respect.

At T.Quality, we’re committed to continuing that momentum. We know that diversity drives better decision-making, stronger relationships, and greater success for our customers. We’ll keep creating space for women to grow, offering the tools and encouragement needed to thrive, and celebrating every achievement—big or small.

As Zoe puts it, “If you work hard and have passion, you can achieve great things.” And from what we’ve seen, the future of foodservice is in very good hands.