Accelerating through the glass ceiling

Jenny James – Ford Service Manager

Productivity in the workplace is improved when gender equality is supported within that business. Inclusive teams make better business decisions 87 per cent of the time and a study cited by The i Paper from The Pipeline also ‘found that there is a sharp difference in the net profit margins of companies that have diverse gender leaderships compared to those that don’t’.

Businesses can be harmed by not having enough women making important decisions.

At Fordthorne we are family owned and run, with inclusivity at the core of our business. The automotive industry is historically male dominated, and we want to showcase those who have broken the mould and succeeded. Jenny James is Ford Service Manager at our Fordthorne operation, and we sat down to talk to Jenny about her experiences in the industry and what challenges and obstacles she has had to overcome in her career so far.

Q: How long have you worked at Fordthorne?

A:  I will shortly be celebrating my 7th Anniversary at Fordthorne, although I did previously work here for about 4 years.

Q: What daily duties does your role hold?

A: I work to ensure the service department runs smoothly and we provide the best customer service we can.

Q: Why did you join Fordthorne?

A: I was approached to apply for a position in the service department having been recommended by a colleague I previously worked with at Fordthorne.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Fordthorne?

A: There is never a dull day, but I enjoy overcoming challenges that present themselves. There are always new challenges with changing technologies etc and every day is a school day, which makes each day interesting. I love that my position now allows me to really affect change within the department to improve the experience of our customers and colleagues alike.

Q: What would you say/advice to other women looking to break into an historically male dominated industry?

A: If you are willing to work hard and push yourself to learn there is no reason for women to shy away from the Motor Industry. You do need a resilient character as it can be a fast paced and stressful environment, but this goes for men and women.  

Q: For those women who may be put off by the industry, what advice would you give to those?

A:  The Motor Industry can be a challenging sector to work in whether you’re a male or a female. You will no doubt at some point encounter those who feel you don’t belong in the trade as a woman, but rise above it, if you work hard and produce the right outcomes, it will speak for itself.

Q: Have you encountered pervasive stereotypes, and lack of mentoring because you are a female and if so how have you combatted these societal behaviours to succeed?

A: I have worked in the Motor Industry for 20 years and the majority of my managers over that time have been male. I have mostly been supported and encouraged throughout my career which has helped to bring me to where I am now.

You will no doubt at some point encounter those who feel you don’t belong in the trade as a woman, but rise above it, if you work hard and produce the right outcomes, it will speak for itself.

International Women’s Day does not mean there is only one day for women. The support and celebration should be 365 days a year.