Female crew gets wind in its sails at Port Jackson

A strong all-female management team at The Port Jackson has progressed through the ranks with the company to reach each member’s current management position.

Pub manager Amy took over in the summer of 2023, when former pub manager Nicole stepped up to area-manager level, with The Port Jackson being one of the pubs in her area.

Amy started with the company as a bar associate at The Thomas Mildmay, where she spent four years progressing to shift-manager level, before a move to Bishop’s Stortford when the Chelmsford pub closed.

Area manager Nicole also started at The Thomas Mildmay as a 19-year-old bar associate, working her way up to pub-manager level by the age of 23.

Nicole’s twin sister, Danyell, is part of the management team at The Port Jackson.

A shift manager, Danyell also began her career as a 20-year-old bar associate at The Thomas Mildmay.

Shift manager Lucy was also with them all at Chelmsford, starting with the company in 2016 as a bar associate and now at The Port Jackson.

Shift manager Tanya joined The Port Jackson’s team in 2016, working her way up from ­floor-associate level.

Also starting as a bar associate at the pub, where they have both been since 2018, are shift managers Gemma and Lorell.

Kitchen manager Marcia, who joined The Port Jackson’s staff‑ in 2020 as a kitchen associate, completes the all-female management team.

Pub manager Amy said: “We are all strong minded and very strong willed, which, although sometimes having its challenges, does work well.

“We all know one another so well, which really does have its advantages.”

Amy continued: “In terms of any issues, I believe that most women are more likely to be less confrontational in potentially tricky situations.

“Men might instantly challenge one another, while I think that we have a surprising strength by approaching issues less aggressively.

“We still have similar scenarios to deal with, yet maybe don’t react in the same way.”

Amy concluded: “We have all worked for the company and been at the pub for a long time, so are able to help and encourage the younger staff members in an almost maternal way.

“They seem to respond well to that.”