Automotive Industry Women in the at Roger Young

The automotive industry is widely known for being a male dominated industry, with roles such as Salesmen and Vehicle Technicians leading the generalisation. However, Roger Young Jaguar Land Rover Isuzu has shown that women play a massive role in the trade.

In 2020, leading UK Professional Services Firm, Deloitte, found that women represent 20% of the Automotive Industry nationwide. Whereas, at Roger Young, women made up 30% of the workforce in 2020 and continue to do so. This above-average percentage of female workers demonstrates the companies forward-thinking attitudes to the automotive industry.

Hannah, Roger Young’s only female Valeter, has grown up surrounded by cars. In her spare time, Hannah’s passion is restoring vehicles; she is currently restoring a 40-yearold Mark 1 Ford Fiesta. She says” I love that I get to be around cars, my passion, every day and am surrounded by such a great group of people. Roger Young has always made me feel like an included member of the team, it makes no difference that I’m a female in my role.”

With a third of the workforce being women, Roger Young is showing that the automotive industry does not have to be a male led. With departments being ran purely by women, women in both the valeting and workshop departments and a large female service team, Roger Young has female power running through the core of the business.

However, over the last four years it has taken the entire company to come together, to tackle the difficult economic and environmental challenges that have been thrown its way.

The automotive industry has been greatly affected over the past few years with the Covid-19 Pandemic and the shortage of semi-conductor chips. But as the industry starts to slowly return to normal, Roger Young has shown that having close connections and bonds with other local businesses can help secure customer relations.

One connection that Roger Young Jaguar Land Rover customers love is that of Land Rover Experience Centre. Land Rover Experience is based just outside Honiton. Working very closely with Land Rover retailers like Roger Young they offer driving experiences in a fleet of brand new Land Rover and Range Rover models. For customers purchasing a new or approved used Land Rover they offer a unique complimentary half day, in which the customers can get to understand the features and benefits of their own vehicle and also drive one of the Land Rover Experience fleet on a 35 acres off road course.

The course enables them to demonstrate the true capability of the vehicles on steep hills, side slopes and through mud and water. The complimentary experience is designed as an extension of the retailer hand over and give the customer the opportunity to ask questions on both the mechanical and tech side of their new vehicle.

As well as the complimentary experiences they also offer “leisure” driving experiences. 1 Hours tasters, Half Days and Full day experiences are all available together with a Heritage experience, which combines a 1952 Series 1 Land Rover with the classic and all new Defender. This event have something for the children. The Young OffRoader drive is designed for 11-17 yrs olds where they get behind the wheel of a Range Rover on the off-road course. They have a suite of conference rooms for the corporate client and also offer professional driving courses for 4x4, ATV and RTV.

Land Rover Experience employs around 16 staff either on a part-time or full-time basis. The most recent team member to join them is Sian who works full time at the centre. Sian says, “After qualifying as a Land Rover Experience instructor my role is very varied and each day is different. I really enjoy sharing my knowledge of the vehicles with customers and helping them get the most out of their car.”

Since joining the team, Sian has been getting some great feedback from customers:

“The whole experience was a delight, from the arrival, the driving to the review at the end. Sian was brilliant, showed me functions on my car that I wasn’t aware of & showed us just exactly how good the cars are off-road.”

Working on a casual working pattern to fit with her other commitments and young family is Leanne. As a Land Rover owner herself, Leanne joined the team in 2021, quickly picked up the role, and now delivers driving experiences to a range of customers.

Roger Young’s commitment to gender diversity in the automotive industry is evident through its above-average percentage of female employees. By demonstrating that women can excel in various roles, the company serves as a model for other businesses in the industry.

Further details can be found at www.experience.landrover.co.uk or by calling the team on 01404 549 333