09:25 Welcome

Julia Muir will explain the purpose of the Auto30Club is to build high performing gender-balanced teams to rise to the challenges of industry transformation by 2030. The theme of our conference is Change the Game - Unlock Inner Potential. We will focus on upskilling, reskilling and retaining our current workforce, and the need to ensure women can fulfil their potential and optimise their contribution to the business, by identifying and removing existing barriers to their progression.

Auto30Club Key Achievements in 2024/25

09:35 Productivity Versus Presenteeism - Rethinking the Automotive Workplace For Today's Top Talent

Karen Greenwood, Head of HR, Solus Accident Repair Centres; Simon Luckhurst, Deputy Managing Director, Hyundai Capital UK Ltd.; Jane Cusdin (host)

Our panellists will explore how automotive businesses can shift from a culture of presenteeism to one focused on productivity and high performance, and how flexible and hybrid working models can impact attracting and retaining top talent. We aim to challenge traditional thinking and the way things have always been done. We will share real world examples to inspire the audience to develop strategies around flexible working that will attract talent, improve employee engagement, enhance productivity and change industry perceptions.

After the panel discussion we will facilitate a collaboration activity to identify what changes or ideas could help make flexible working a reality for more of your workforce.

10:20 Have the Courage to Try

Julia Muir, Founder Automotive 30% Club

Julia will speak about overcoming the imposter phenomenon, the gender confidence gap, and how to react to adversity. She will explain the importance of building a personal brand, focusing on successes rather than flaws, and having the courage to try.

10:30 Women in Automotive Leadership - we can do it, so can you.

Jane Pocock, CEO UK & Ireland, Copart; Karen Bellairs, Chief Customer Officer and MD Garages; Catherine Faiers, Chief Operating Officer, Auto Trader (host)

Our panel of senior automotive leaders will aim to inspire other women to believe they can also rise to the top. They will share their personal stories including the challenges they faced and give advice to others that will encourage them to follow in their footsteps.

11:45 Unlocking the Potential of Working Mums

Joeli Brearley MBE, Founder, Pregnant Then Screwed

Joeli will share her personal story of pregnancy discrimination, and how the motherhood penalty impacts working mums. She will explain how we can prevent the penalty, and how to unlock the potential of working mums - both from the perspective of what the employer should do and also what the working mum can do.

12:30 How Inclusion Unlocks the Potential of Both Men and Women

Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO, Male Allies UK and Stephen Whitton, Founder and Leader, [M]enable

During their conversation, Lee and Stephen will reveal why they are both such advocates for gender-balance and inclusion, and why men benefit from it. They will explain that inclusive leadership and culture does not put men at a disadvantage, in fact they benefit hugely from positive outcomes including better mental wealth, being liberated from gender stereotypes, and feeling able to be more active parents. They will encourage men in the audience to be active and involved in building gender-balance, recognising the important role they play as the current majority.

14:00 Unlocking the Potential of People with ADHD

Alex Partridge, Founder, UNILAD and LADBible

Alex will share his own personal ADHD story, and will explain how ADHD presents differently in men and women. He will explain how we can unlock the potential of women with ADHD in the workplace - both from the perspective of what the employer should do and also what the woman with ADHD can do.

15:05 Practical Actions to Ensure Women Walk the Path to Management

Dr. Karen Lange, Member of the Board for Human Resources, Bentley; Mark Raban, Mark Raban, Chief Executive Officer of U.K. Operations, Group 1; Julia Philpott (host)

The purpose of our final session is to ensure that delegates leave the conference with practical actions they can take. Our panellists will share examples of practical action that both industry leaders and high potential women can implement to increase the number of women in management roles. We will then engage in a collaborative discussion to share additional actions and solutions.

15:45 Closing Words

Julia will close the conference with a call to action to Change the Game in Automotive and build high-performing gender-balanced teams, by Unlocking Inner Potential.