Barbara Cox Awards 2022
nominees: Nichola Hobson
of General Manager, Fleet Operations, TrustFord
Brief biography of you and your career
I began my career in the automotive industry working for Vanliners in 2001 at the age of 18 as an administrator after leaving college with my A-Levels. After a couple of years with Vanliners I joined Gordons (Bolton) Ltd as customer account executive and this was the start of life in Fleet within a Ford dealership, throughout my 12 years at Gordon’s I was promoted through the ranks holding positions in sales and ending up as the Business Centre Manager. In 2015 I was approached by TrustFord to join their Fleet Team in a role of National Account Sales Manager and seven years later have been recently promoted (Sept 2021) to General Manager Fleet Operations. Trust Ford gave me the opportunity to build on everything I had learnt and grow as an individual working for Ford’s own dealer group on a massive scale.
My recent role means I have responsibility of all of the Fleet Central functions – growing/managing Contract Hire & Leasing Relationships at group level, National Sales Team working with customers in all industry sectors and growing the complete relationship, Central Hub team who service the SLA’s for all leasing companies and Ford Direct Sales account management team (white labelled to Ford Motor Company).
I am really proud to be leading some really significant customers by using innovation to add value to their proposition with TrustFord, being a colleague who has a significant part to play in the Fleet strategy and shaping the future.
I also take great pride in succession planning internally, watching a colleague grow at any level is such a satisfying part of my role and as an individual who has literally worked my way up through the ranks then I feel I am a rounded individual who colleagues can relate to as I have done the role they are in and can relate.
Whilst I officially started my career in the industry in 2001 I had a taste of the industry from being a small girl as my dad was in the industry for years and I used to love going into the dealership on a weekend / school holidays writing out book packs and dealer transfer so I can’t help but feel I have ended up where I belong.
In my private life I am big family person and love to be around family & friends. I am a keen Ballroom & Latin competitive dancer competing at regional and national level, this is something I have done since being a little girl and when on the dance floor everything else is forgotten when lost in the moment. I have a real zest for life and always see the glass as half full so I give my all to whatever I do in life.
Tell us what this nomination means to you?
This nomination simply means the world to me. 2021 was a big year me for me in a professional capacity as Trust Ford recognising and promoting me to General Manager Fleet Operations was a real vote of confidence and was a real special moment as a role at this level had been a personal long standing aspiration. So to be recognised externally for my hard work and achievements over the years really feels like the icing on the cake. I feel so humbled to be shortlisted especially when recognising the strength of talent & industry leading quality of the women I stand alongside, this is truly fantastic and I am proud to be recognised in the shortlist.What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in automotive?
Do it, do it, do it! Automotive is such a fabulous industry filled with lots of great people and an industry that can give you a career for life. There are many pathways you can take as an individual to create a career in the industry so don’t be afraid to change your direction if that is where it takes you. Automotive can be challenging and I don’t feel any two days are the same, I feel it is an industry that welcomes individuals who have confidence and a desire to keep developing especially in current times as we start on the EV journey which will require innovation and people who can think outside the box………….change is coming in a big way.What advice would you give your younger self on having a successful career?
- Be true to Yourself on your journey – I have been incredibly lucky that throughout my career I have had several role models to inspire me, that said my advice would be to pick the best parts of those people and use it to form your own style and ways. Don’t be a clone of someone else……..always be yourself!
- Love what you do – I truly think you can excel in anything you want in life as long as you have enjoyment, passion, support and focus.
- Don’t ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself – Whilst certain jobs take you higher up within a company a title doesn’t give you automatic respect from your colleagues, this has to be earned.
- Never stop learning and evolving – life changes all the time and I would encourage anyone to keep learning and evolving as this gives you the best chance of being your best self.
- There are no stupid questions – I say this all the time! Never be afraid to ask questions as knowledge gives us power, understanding and personal confidence, you don’t know what you don’t know without being brave enough to put yourself out there.
