06 Mar 2026
As part of International Women’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the exceptional women who are part of the team at P+B. Across the automotive industry, around 80% of the workforce is male. At P+B, the picture looks a little different. Today, we employ more women than men.
To mark the occasion, we spoke to some of the women in our team about their experiences working in the industry and what it means to them to build a career in a space that has traditionally been male dominated.
Leona – Relationship Manager
“I’ve worked in the motor industry for more than twenty years, and while it’s traditionally been quite male dominated, I’ve never really seen it as something that should be framed as women versus men. For me, the real appreciation lies in the diversity of the industry and how far it has come. I don’t think any sector should be entirely male or entirely female. The best environments are the ones where people from different backgrounds and perspectives work alongside each other.
Throughout my career I’ve focused on doing a good job and building strong relationships with the people I work with. Occasionally you come across someone who might expect something different, but far more often people simply respond to professionalism and the way you treat them. I love working with the women in our team, and equally I enjoy working with the men. In my experience, success in this industry has never really been about gender. It’s about the work you do and the relationships you build along the way.”
Linda – Head of Client Services
“Earlier in my career I built and ran a recruitment business for twenty years in the disaster restoration industry, which at the time was overwhelmingly male dominated. When I first started attending industry conventions, I was often the only female business owner exhibiting in halls the size of football fields. It was a challenging environment, and professionalism was everything. As a woman in business you quickly learn that boundaries matter. I had to be clear, structured and disciplined in how I operated, from setting expectations with clients to building strong processes across the entire business.
There were moments that highlighted just how different the expectations could be. I remember receiving inappropriate gifts from a client early in my career and having to return them with a firm explanation that it wasn’t acceptable. There were also occasions where I hired male recruiters specifically because some clients simply refused to speak to a woman, even though I owned the company. Experiences like that taught me that, as a woman, you often have to be more assertive than your male counterparts just to be taken seriously. It was never about being difficult, it was about being clear, professional and confident in your role.
Over time, I’m proud that the business helped pave the way for others. For the first five years we were the only recruitment firm in that sector, and several of the companies that later entered the market were also founded by women. In many ways the professional world has moved forward, but there are still differences depending on who you are dealing with and the generation or mindset they come from. As a woman in business you develop a skill for reading the room, adapting your approach and staying focused on your standards. My advice to anyone starting out is simple: know your value, document your achievements, present yourself with confidence and never underestimate the importance of professionalism.”
Nikki – Employer Client Services
“I’ve worked in the car industry for more than ten years, and it’s still a sector where around 80% of the workforce is male. To succeed in that kind of environment, you need a certain level of determination. You have to be willing to challenge the status quo a little and not be comfortable just blending into the background. That applies to anyone in the industry, but when you’re a woman in such a male-orientated space, you quickly realise you need the energy and confidence to stand your ground and carve out your own place.
Before moving into automotive I worked in retail banking, which in many ways felt similar. It was easy to feel like just another number. What I’ve always believed is that success in this industry comes down to personality and attitude. You need the resilience to deal with a bit of pushback, the confidence to be different, and the willingness to show that you bring something valuable to the table. Being part of a company that challenges the traditional way of doing things helps enormously, because it gives you the backing to do things differently.
The industry has definitely moved forward, but there’s still progress to be made. Ultimately though, I think it comes down to individuals. You don’t necessarily need to be obsessed with cars to thrive here, but you do need to be willing to embrace the environment and the challenges that come with it. Over time, as the industry evolves with technology and new ways of working, I suspect the conversation around gender will become less important. What will matter most is the people who are willing to step up, bring energy and make their mark.”
Katy – Client Services Executive
“I’m still quite early in my career, so stepping into an industry that’s historically been dominated by men has been interesting. I wouldn’t say I’ve faced major challenges personally, but there is sometimes an assumption that, as a woman, you might not have the same depth of knowledge about cars. Cars have traditionally been associated with men, whether that’s driving them, selling them or working on them, so that perception can still exist in the background.
What I’ve learned quite quickly is that succeeding in this industry isn’t really about knowing every technical detail about a car. Much of the job is about people. It’s about understanding what a client needs, how they want to feel during the process, and making sure their experience from ordering through to delivery is a positive one. Building relationships and earning trust is far more important than reciting specifications.
In some ways, being a woman can even become a strength in that environment. Clients often respond well to a more relationship-led approach, and it can help create a more comfortable, open conversation. For me, it’s less about whether the industry is male or female dominated, and more about recognising that different perspectives and approaches add real value. Ultimately, it’s about finding your own way to connect with people and doing the job well.”
At P+B, we are incredibly proud of the women who make up such a significant part of our team. Their experience, perspective and commitment play a vital role in the culture we have built and the service we deliver to our clients every day.
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