International Womens Day
Embracy Equity
Gemma Tate - Head of Business
How long have you worked for Sytner BMW/MINI? 14 years
How long have you been in your current role? 2 years
What is your favourite part about your current role? Developing people and helping others realise their true potential. People can be in the dark when it comes to seeing their own talent and abilities and sometimes we all need someone else to shine a light.
What motivates you in the morning? Coffee and my wife.
Three words to describe yourself? Passionate, determined, kind.
What is your greatest achievement? It’s yet to come!
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be in your role? Believe in yourself. Have confidence in your abilities and believe that you can succeed in any role you aspire to. Don't let anyone else’s doubts or prejudices hold you back. Always be proactive and take initiative to develop. Don't wait for someone else to offer you a promotion or opportunity.
How have you seen the Automotive industry landscape change and evolve to engage more women? I think the automotive landscape is, in parts, unrecognizable to what is was 14 years ago. In my very first role within Sytner I was the only female in our sales team, fast forward to today and almost half of the people I employ in my Sales Departments are women. Over time, I believe our business leaders have recognized the imbalance and have worked incredibly hard to encourage female colleagues to join our team. As a result we have seen more women in varied roles in our businesses which has made the industry appear more accessible and appealing to females. Sytner has certainly during my career created a more natural environment for customers and colleagues alike, and I am privileged to have worked with many inspirational females along the way. Today, I am simply lucky to work with exceptional individuals, regardless of being male or female. It is important to have a diverse mix within a business to create an inclusive environment and I believe having a balanced representation makes us all more productive.
Top tip for how you organise your days? A To-Do list and a well scheduled outlook diary.
Top tip for working in the automotive industry? Look after your customer, they pay your salary.
