Shona King

To be able to tell my daughter I've been shortlisted for this award has been such a proud moment for me. She's extremely proud of me, which is what it's all for at the end of the day.

Shona King's journey into automotive is not the one she planned - and that's exactly what makes it remarkable. A qualified teacher who spent five years in primary education, Shona discovered the Enterprise graduate programme by chance while on holiday in Crete, took a leap of faith, and never looked back.

Joining as a Management Trainee, she earned her first promotion within nine months and stepped up to Branch Rental Manager eighteen months later - six months pregnant at the time. She returned from maternity leave, seized a cover opportunity in Vehicle Services, and was subsequently offered a permanent role. In September, she celebrates ten years with Enterprise.

Now managing multiple teams across Vehicle Services, chairing the company's community charity team, and mentoring colleagues inside and outside her department, Shona brings the same quality to automotive that she brought to teaching: a genuine investment in the people around her.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in automotive?

I would advise her to actively build a diverse network of advocates and sponsors early on. Don't look exclusively for female mentors; seek out allies of any gender who have influence and respect your work. Cultivating these professional relationships ensures you have advocates in rooms where career assignments and promotion decisions are being made.

Be the reason another woman believes she can. We’re capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. And sometimes, seeing someone else do it is all it takes to realise it’s possible. Visibility builds belief, belief drives action, action creates success, and success builds more visibility!

Celebrating the women of the automotive industry

Inspiring women to connect and succeed in the automotive industry by dreaming big and reaching goals since International Women’s Day 2016.

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