Claim OwnershipWomen in the driving seat
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Join Erin Baker Auto Trader Editorial Director, award-winning motoring journalist and single mum of 2, for a podcast series devoted to putting women in the driving seat.
We'll journey into the professional and private lives of brilliant women in the automotive industry and cover everything - from plates spun to balls dropped. By sharing stories about our worries, fears and achievements, we aim to inspire and inform not only the next generation but professionals at every stage of their career, and hopefully each of us will feel less alone
We'll journey into the professional and private lives of brilliant women in the automotive industry and cover everything - from plates spun to balls dropped. By sharing stories about our worries, fears and achievements, we aim to inspire and inform not only the next generation but professionals at every stage of their career, and hopefully each of us will feel less alone
24 Episodes
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This episode features Lakshmi Moorthy, UK CEO for Arval, one of the largest vehicle leasing businesses in the UK and Hayley Pells, the Government Affairs Lead at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) . Our guests share what they wish they had done when they first started in their careers, how they balance multiple roles, and reflect on the impact of seeing other women in positions of power.Recorded May 2025.
This episode features Rachel Clift, CEO of Ben, the automotive industry charity, alongside Beth Morley, Human Insight Lead at Cenex. Our guests discuss how mental health needs to be taken more seriously in automotive, and the lack of consideration for marginalised groups in the electric transition. *This podcast episode contains reference to suicide and mental health, due to Rachel’s work with automotive industry charity, Ben.
This episode features Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, who shares her non-conventional route to becoming a businesswoman and Sukky Choongh, Environmental Policy Manager for the SMMT, who discusses why driving sustainability across all areas of automotive should be a shared goal for all.
This episode features Lisa Jay, the Range Rover Programme Chief at JLR, speaking about how the automotive industry has shifted away from being a "boys club," and shares about her own career growth, including promotions after having children. And second guest Amy-Louise Carter, Head of Product at Daimler Truck discussed the exciting innovation and diversity in the truck industry, with the increasing representation of women across roles. This is an Autotrader podcast
Episode features Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive since 2022, after holding previous roles including CEO of INEOS Composites and Commercial Director of INEOS Phenol and Rebecca Denyer, co-founder of Sebring Works, where she and her husband hand-build brand new electric retro-inspired sports cars. With some candid thoughts on life as a female CEO of a conglomerate – are women ballsy or just straight to the point? The pod covers the importance of backing British brands and celebrating British engineering. This is an Autotrader podcast
This episode features Lisa Thomas, the Chief Marketing Officer at Motability Operations, and Liz Warner, one of the founders and CEO of Different Kind, a retail store that sells ‘goods that do good’. Lisa shares her experience as CMO and how Motability as a business works together with the foundation, and Liz discusses how we can make learning to drive and buy a car a more inclusive space. Host Erin Baker questions how diverse the automotive space is becoming. This is an Autotrader podcast.
Erin is joined by Jo Causon, CEO of the Institute of Customer Service, and Michelle Davis who heads up the automotive category for LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. We answer the question ‘is automotive getting customer service right?’ (spoiler: “We're doing well!”) Jo shares that exceptional customer service stems from genuine human connection, ethical leadership, and a deep understanding of who the customer is. Michelle takes us on a journey of LinkedIn’s evolution and the increasing value of empathy on the platform. This is an Autotrader podcast
Episode 15 features Julia Greenhough, Marketing Director of TrustFord, and Catherine Faiers, COO of Auto Trader. Julia discusses how we can equalise gender in the automotive industry at all levels, and the progression of the TrustFord and Ford relationship. Catherine talks about the many facets of being a COO, and the kinds of things her role requires. This is an Autotrader podcast
Episode 12 features Jodie Barber, co-owner of Wink Cars and Rebecca Adamson, General Manager at Honda UK and Customer Engagement at Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Rebecca discusses the need to modernise the automotive industry, the importance of true meritocracy, and the ongoing challenge of improving diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Jodie shared her journey from beauty to car sales, highlighted the refreshing impact of female presence in dealerships, and emphasised the untapped potential and success of women in the motor trade. This is an Autotrader podcast
This week's episode features Sue Corkin, Group Operations Director at Chorley Group and Penny Wetherup, recently retired People Director at VW Group. Penny discusses the evolving needs of women across life stages, highlighting fatigue, flexibility, and the need for strategic career planning to overcome systemic barriers to senior roles. While Sue emphasized the importance of flexibility, support, and hard work in enabling women -especially those without traditional educational backgrounds -to thrive and progress in demanding industries. This is an Autotrader podcast.
This episode features Kate Thompson, Head of Communications for Volkswagen Group UK and Sophia Murdock, Brand Partnerships Manager at Autotrader. Kate shares her journey as a female leader, and the progress she’s seen in empowering women in the workplace. Sophia discusses the safe spaces created through the networks. While host Erin Baker reflects on the noise around International Women’s Day. This is an Autotrader podcast
Episode 11 features Melanie Keyte, Commercial Director at Condé Nast, and Daveena Saranna, Campaigns Manager (EV) + University of Oxford MSc. Mel discusses the need for car brands to talk to women differently and how Vogue partners with the automotive industry to create impactful content. Daveena shares her perspective on emotional expression in the workplace and the challenges women face at different ages during their careers. This is an Autotrader podcast.
This episode, Erin is joined by Kate Tyrrell CEO of ChargeSafe and Antonia Stephenson Director of Operations & Finance for EV Battery Solutions, part of Cox Automotive. Kate shares the distressing experience with charging that sparked the creation of ChargeSafe, tackling safety for women at EV charge points. Antonia tackles battery myths, recycling, and calls out for more women to join the industry. This is an Autotrader podcast
This episode Erin is joined by Diane Miller, Plant Director at Vauxhall Motors Ellesmere Port, and Alison Jones, Global Chief Parts and Services Officer for Stellantis. Dianne shares her experience transforming a plant into an electric vehicle facility, addressing misconceptions about factory work and the challenges of declining EV demand. Alison reflects on the circular economy, thoughtful career planning, and balancing high-level roles with family life. This is an Autotrader podcast.
Episode eight features Tracy Greaves, CEO of Goodwood Art Foundation and Patricia Dickie, Customer and Innovation Director for Goodwood. Tracy offers a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting launch of the Goodwood Art Foundation. Patricia discusses her journey on authentically driving change to improve diversity and inclusion across the Goodwood Estate. This is an Auto Trader podcast
Erin Baker is joined this episode by Julia Muir, Founder of Automotive 30% Club and Catherine King, Content Creator at Auto Trader. Julia shares why she founded the Automotive 30% Club (the official reason and the real reason - which may or may not have something to do with perimenopause). Catherine discusses her career journey from data to content, and reveals a top tip: always remember to pack snacks. This is an Auto Trader podcast.
This episode explores the luxury side of the automotive industry with guests Angie Ayscough and Emma Begley. Angie shares how she balances travel with motherhood, and the power of customer service that goes above and beyond. Emma discusses recruiting talent in luxury, integrating products into a lifestyle, and the importance of strong support systems. This is an Auto Trader podcast.
In this episode, Vicky Read ChargeUK CEO and Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles join Erin to discuss... being a CEO! Fiona shares the transformative impact of having the right people around you (eg taking a sabbatical) while Vicky discusses how she became an accidental CEO - cue squiggly career discussions. This is an Auto Trader podcast
In this episode, Melanie Lane, Pod Point CEO and Rebecca Day, Co-Founder of She's Electric join Erin to discuss how to get women into the electrified driving seat. Mel shares her advice on work-life balance (take a blinkered approach, work out which fires can burn the house down and which can wait till tomorrow) while Bex highlights the need to make sustainability more relatable, and encourages people to find energy through networks - while discussing the joys of a multi-generational household. This is an Auto Trader podcast. This podcast episode contains reference to modern day slavery, human trafficking and exploitations such as rape, due to Mel’s work with charity International Justice Mission.
Erin Baker is joined this week with Jo Elvin and Nicole Melillo Shaw. Jo shares valuable lessons from the fashion industry, discussing the female gaze and the need for a fresh approach to communication. Nicole shares her journey from the world of healthcare to MD of prominent car brand, shedding light on the dynamic balance between product and brand identity. This is an Auto Trader podcast
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