Meet Donna Stoakes, Service Manager at JCT600 Mercedes-Benz Doncaster and IAW Award Winner for 2019
As a member of the management team at JCT600 Mercedes-Benz Doncaster, Donna actively seeks to move away from the motor trade ‘stereotypes’, to offer the same level of professional and pastoral support regardless of circumstance. When recruiting new members for the team, Donna comments: “I look at the individual, and what they can bring, regardless of who they are or what they look like.”
Donna has 23 years experience in the automotive sector and joined JCT600 14 years ago. In her current role, she is responsible for effective marketing and sale of labour, parts and accessories, delivering exceptional customer experience, maximising the department’s operation, and managing the Aftersales team. Donna ensures all members of her team know that her door is always open, and as a mum of three herself understands how crucial a good work-life balance is. She adds: “We are incredibly lucky at Mercedes-Benz of Doncaster to have a team that are just like an extended family for everyone.”
Donna has learnt a lot from her peers over the years, and in particular, the guidance and support she has personally been given by her Head of Business has influenced her on how to lead, develop and treat her team, how to deal with different characters and how to create a succession plan for when she retires. Donna comments: “This knowledge and behaviour I like to think is what I pass onto my team.”
Upon hearing the news of being selected by an independent judging panel as one of the 30 winners, Donna stated: “I was speechless, and for those who know me, that is something that happens rarely! It’s great to see employers are taking gender balance seriously, and I believe it will help further improve the calibre of people in our industry.”
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