![Simon Smith, Managing Director, Solus Accident Repair [photograph]](https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Simon-Smith-Silver-Member.jpg)
I’m very proud to be a Silver Member of the Automotive 30% Club. The fit between the core values of Solus Accident Repair and the Automotive 30% Club are well aligned, and we have embraced the challenge of addressing the gender-balance within Solus as well as attracting new talented individuals into the accident repair sector.
Accident repair is going to see rapid change over the next few years, and to keep pace with this change requires the ability to adapt and attract the best talent by providing an environment that supports and encourages development and growth.
We have been working hard to develop and promote women within our business and I am pleased to say that we have achieved what we set out to last year.
Solus’ leadership team is now 40% female and Kelly Vieira won the overall apprentice award in the repair industry as voted for by Thatcham Research. Kelly is only the second female apprentice to win this award, the first being Jess Sevellec, also from Solus, in 2017.
We believe we are making significant strides in creating a culture to develop and nurture the talent of the future, and we will continue to work towards building a better gender balance at Solus.
Julia Muir, Founder of the Automotive 30% Club says:
"I'm very pleased to announce that Simon Smith, Managing Director of Solus Accident Repair has become a Silver Member of the Automotive 30% Club. It's great that Simon and Solus are taking this pioneering stance in the accident repair sector and being such strong advocates for gender balance and inclusion. I shall look forward to meeting his wider team when I deliver their Change the Game workshop.”