The Inspiring e-zine launch event featuring Key Players of the “Super Network”
On Thursday 4th of July, the UK Automotive 30% Club saw over 30 guests arrive at Facebook in London for the launch of Inspiring E-Zine, proudly sponsored by Toyota GB Plc.
Julia Muir – Founder of the UK Automotive 30% Club, and Inspiring E-Zine welcomed guests from within our member companies, and also guests who are working hard to help women progress in other important networks and initiatives inside and outside of the automotive sector, by explaining the purpose of Inspiring.
“Our ambition is simple” comments Julia Muir.
We are aiming for Inspiring to be the digital platform that connects individual women’s networks or development groups together into a “Super-Network”.
Inspiring e-zine will publish career advice and tips, as well as feature articles written by, and interviews with, relatable and inspiring women. We will also showcase the great work being done by individual networks.
We were delighted to be joined by our VIP guest speaker, Paula Cooper, Director at Consumer One at Toyota GB Plc. Paula spoke on why she believes we need to take action to get a better gender balance in the automotive industry and why Toyota GB Plc is sponsoring Inspiring E-Zine.
“Inspiring is a fantastic evolution from the 30% Club. It gives us a great opportunity to develop our networks and for us to bring to life some of the fantastic achievements that all of us have made whilst working.”
Paula then moved on to talk about what Toyota are doing as a company to gain a better gender balance in both the company itself and also encourage it within their retailer network, concluding with why she feels it’s important for women to help other women, and “lift as they rise.”
“I think if you are an effective leader or manager why wouldn’t you nurture talent and why wouldn’t you encourage them to grow, learn and do well”.
Our guests then listened and engaged with our panel members who talked about the purpose, aims and main benefits of their own internal networks and women’s groups. The panel included; Rachel Shepherd, General Manager, HR & Facilities at Toyota GB Plc, Polly Caldwell, Technical Lead at our partner sponsor Auto Trader UK, Amanda Mogan-Wilson, Group Communications Manager at sponsor of our IAW Awards Jardine Motors Group, Adam Carney, Group Diversity Manager at Lookers Group Plc, and Anita Fox, Head of Automotive at Facebook.
On discussing the main benefits of a network to the members Polly Caldwell commented “Because we centre the sessions around what they have asked for, hopefully, we’re getting the development that they’re after. We like to have the women’s network events as time away from your day to day role, where you can focus on you and the points that you want to develop.”
Following the panel session, our guests then had the perfect opportunity to start building the “Super Network” over wine and canapes before the event came to a close.
Please do encourage colleagues and individuals from within your own networks, to subscribe and join our “Super Network”. Download our subscriber information sheet here.