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.