Rygor WIA Journal

Success Stories

Who or what helped you feel included? What should others copy from that support?

I’ve been fortunate to have had some fantastic mentors throughout various stages of my career. They all helped to shape my leadership style, and even today I still use tips and advice that they gave me.

Jane Pocock UK & IRE CEO | Copart UK

I believe that mentorship is incredibly valuable – better than any book you could ever read! Listening to, learning from, and absorbing knowledge from mentors can have an enormous influence on your future career.

What first drew you into automotive, and what was your earliest “I belong here” moment?

Which milestone are you most proud of, and what did you do to achieve it?

Looking ahead, what change do you want to help create in the industry and what’s your one-sentence encouragement to women considering automotive?

“Growing up, my next-door neighbour was HR Director for the AA, and that was the catalyst for me joining that company aged 19 as part of a management graduate development scheme. I was a very practical and operationally focused person from a young age. Having a role that was so varied (and enabled me to get out and about, rather than just be desk-based) really appealed to me and kept me motivated.”

“I’m proud of the long, progressive and successful career I’ve had in the automotive sector. After some 35 years, I still feel super motivated to reach even higher performance levels in this industry. I feel excited and positive about continuing my career and have no plans to slow down any time soon!”

I genuinely believe life has no limits, that the best learning is from those who have already achieved, and go ahead and build your own future!

Zoe Tonks UK Head of Sales | Farizon Auto UK

“My career in automotive has been shaped by a clear focus on growth, relationships and building teams that deliver with purpose. Over more than two decades in the industry, I have worked across fleet, OEM and corporate sales, developing a strong commercial mindset alongside a deep belief in customer-centric leadership. A defining chapter of my journey was leading corporate sales for a national dealer group, where I spent over fourteen years scaling the business and developing a high-performing team. During that time, we delivered sustained volume and profit growth, strengthened manufacturer and partner relationships, and built a culture based on trust, accountability and long-term thinking. What mattered most to me was creating an environment where people could succeed and progress while delivering meaningful value for customers.

What does great look like in your role day-to-day, and which skill or tool most transformed how you work? “Great for me is about driving momentum and ensuring the business is consistently achieving key performance indicators. On a day-to-day basis, that means staying close to the numbers and investing in growth. I genuinely live by my calendar, and with the pace and variety of my responsibilities, maximising the benefits of Outlook has been the most transformative tool for me. It allows me to create structure in a fast-moving environment and helps me stay focused.”

Today, as Head of Sales for Farizon Auto UK, I am proud to be part of launching a new electric vehicle brand into the UK market. It is an opportunity that brings together everything I have learned, combining commercial strategy with innovation and a future-focused approach to mobility. The pace and challenge of a start-up environment energise me, particularly at a time when the industry is undergoing such fundamental change. As a woman in automotive, I believe visibility and representation matter. My experience has shown that strong leadership does not have to fit a single mould. There is real power in combining commercial focus with empathy, collaboration and authenticity, and I am passionate about encouraging more women to see automotive as a place where they can lead, influence and thrive.“

Tell us about a barrier you faced and how you overcame it; what’s the practical advice you’d give someone hitting the same wall?

“At the start of my career, I was very conscious of being a woman in a man’s world. I had to navigate my way through the various challenges that posed, which meant I had to be very versatile and adaptable in certain situations. Thankfully, the world is a different place today, and women in the automotive industry do not face those same barriers. But my general advice to women in any industry is to remain resilient and persistent, as these traits are key to achieving your goals.”

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