Success Stories
Helen Joyce - Owner | Riverside Resourcing & Consultancy Ltd - automotive sector recruitment
Why did you start a career in automotive?
“I have been working in the automotive industry for over 30 years, always in recruitment. My recruitment career started in a High Street agency, where I supplied temporary office staff to companies locally. I loved it as it was fast-paced and exciting. Whilst working in this business, I had friends who worked in the automotive industry who explained that they had struggled to get staff, particularly in the bodyshop industry. My new career began. I set up my first business supplying temporary panel beaters and sprayers to the bodyshop industry. It was so successful, I ended up placing all of my temps into permanent roles! I was then approached to work for Sewells Training and Consultancy, setting up their automotive recruitment division. While here, I was approached by Mercedes-Benz UK to do the same for them.”
“My apprenticeship is teaching me so much about myself. In addition to learning the skills I need to drive my career forward.”- Erin Alexander | Technician Apprentice HGV
What has your career path looked like working in the automotive industry? “I spent 21 years with Mercedes-Benz. Along with my team, we were responsible for helping the Mercedes-Benz car, truck and van dealer network recruit great people. Sadly, in 2019, my position was made redundant, along with my team, which was devastating for us all. After the initial shock of losing my job and having spoken with some of my Mercedes-Benz clients, I decided to go it alone and set up Riverside Resourcing & Consultancy Ltd, and here we are in 2025, still going strong, and still working with some of those businesses. As you can imagine, I have placed hundreds of people into jobs within the motor trade, whether that be managing directors, technicians or administrators. All have been a pleasure to deal with. I love helping people find their dream job; it’s what motivates me. The automotive industry has always been predominantly male-oriented, more so when I joined the industry all those years ago! However, it is wonderful to see so many women in the business, particularly in managerial roles. The thing about our wonderful industry is that it is challenging, it is rewarding, and it is fun. There are so many opportunities available to women, whether that be working in sales or after-sales and being able to develop long, successful careers.”
What have you loved about your career in automotive?
Survey: What Prevents Women From Considering the Automotive Sector as a Career Option Rygor Group conducted a small-scale research project into what prevents women from considering the automotive sector as a career option. The aim of this was to, in turn, understand how we could attract more women into the industry as a whole, regardless of role or company and organisation they choose to join.
“Whilst with Mercedes-Benz UK, I had the opportunity to travel with my role, which was fascinating, seeing how other cultures recruit, train and develop their people. Spending time in Moscow with Mercedes-Benz of Russia, the UAE and Germany, where I presented the service we offered our UK dealerships and helped them set up their support functions. I have also loved working on the numerous projects to recruit trainee sales executives into the Mercedes-Benz network, particularly when we introduced smart into the UK and helping create the Mercedes-Benz Van Talent Programme and the Trainee Truck Sales Executive Programme. Some of those trainees have gone on to fantastic things within Mercedes-Benz, which makes me very proud.”
If we can encourage just one more woman to join this inspiring industry, then our Women In Automotive project has been a success.
TAKE THE SURVEY
But we still want to know more.
If you have 5 minutes, please complete the short survey via the QR code to enable us to have more insight into what would encourage you to join the industry or stay within it. Our ambition is to gain data from women across the sector and publish the results, to enable us all to do as much as we can to encourage women to join the automotive sector.
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Copyright Rygor Group 2026
Copyright Rygor Group 2026
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