Adam Pay, Managing Director, Halfords Autocentres

“I’m incredibly proud to be a Patron Gold member of the Automotive 30% Club, a partnership that reinforces Halfords’ deep commitment to championing gender balance across the automotive industry.

For us, this is about standing behind a vision we believe in wholeheartedly: creating a more inclusive sector where women can thrive, progress, and lead in roles where they have historically been underrepresented.”

The automotive industry has been shaped for decades by a largely male workforce. While real progress has been made, there is still more to do — and we all share collective responsibility for accelerating that change. Empowering women at every level, from apprentices starting their careers to senior leaders shaping the future, is critical to the long-term success of our industry.

Why This Matters for Halfords

At Halfords, we’ve seen firsthand the power of diverse teams. Diversity drives better innovation, sharper decision making, and stronger business performance. But beyond all of that, it creates a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and able to be themselves. I’m incredibly proud to work alongside some inspirational women across the Halfords business who are already shaping our success - but we know that to truly transform our culture, we must continue evolving our practices, leadership behaviours, and career pathways – both into and through our organisation.

Being a Patron Gold member strengthens that commitment. It means taking meaningful action to make our industry more open, more representative, and more accessible to future generations of talent.

Driving Real, Sustainable Change

As part of the Automotive 30% Club, we’re committing to:

• Opening more doors for women to enter the industry
• Strengthening career development and progression pathways within Halfords
• Challenging outdated norms and stereotypes across the sector
• Embedding inclusive leadership, so our culture embraces meaningful change
• Working collaboratively with peers across the industry to share learning and accelerate progress

Real change doesn’t happen overnight — but when organisations come together, share best practice, and hold themselves accountable, the impact is powerful.

Looking Ahead

I’m genuinely excited to be part of a collective effort that is sparking reflection, encouraging action, and inspiring more women to see automotive as a place where they can thrive. This is a journey we are all on together, and I’m confident that the more we challenge old perceptions, champion talent, and support each other, the more inclusive and dynamic our industry will become.

Together, we’ll help drive a brighter, more balanced future for the automotive sector — one where gender balance is not the exception, but the norm.