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‘Women need to have more belief in the contribution they bring’
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Women make up half of the labour force but only about a quarter of the auto manufacturing workforce, according to a recent Deloitte survey. Gowan Auto, exclusive Stellantis Importer for Ireland, is stepping up to spotlight their talented female employees. Leading by example, these hardworking women are stars in their field, and they hope to encourage other young people to join their sector and feed the exciting flames of change.
Alexis Moore, Head of Network Development, Opel, and Head of Brands, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Honda
What drew you to the automotive industry?
A Dublin native, I come from a small family where there was always an emphasis placed on strong women with ambition to achieve more. We have consistently encouraged each other to strive for greater. Since I can remember, cars have fascinated me; I have a sheer love for them. They manage to combine function, technology and beauty effortlessly. In 2017, I moved into Opel as a Customer Service Manager. I soon progressed to become Head of Network Development and whilst it was a steep learning curve, I got to work with an experienced mentor who taught me the ropes. This incredible education, along with an element of ‘right time right place’ has propelled me to where I am in my career. I will always be grateful for the significant opportunities that I was able to capitalise on.
Gowan Group’s acquisition of Opel in 2019 hailed a new era for the brand in Ireland and since we have grown the dealer network and brand significantly. Last year, Gowan approached me about splitting my role between Head of Network Development of Opel and Head of Brands for our newest brands to join the group, Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo. These automotive brands have such heritage and legacy behind them, but we knew we would have to re-establish their foothold in the Irish market after so many years of inactivity. I am now a year into that dual role and whilst it has been immensely busy and a huge challenge, I work with a very talented team in both roles, and we have an unfaltering belief in how far we can grow these brands in the Irish market.
What are the primary responsibilities of your role? What do you enjoy most about it?
I head up the network development for Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Honda and I also lead the marketing team for Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Honda. Network development manages the dealer franchise appointments to grow each brand’s dealership network across Ireland; this is a massively rewarding side of our business as it allows you to attract, qualify and negotiate for what you believe will be the right fit in terms of a dealer partner for the automotive brand. This side of my role also covers the management of legal dealer franchise contracts, customer satisfaction programmes, dealer training, corporate identity and dealer design project management.
Heading up the marketing team for Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Honda in the last year, I’ve helped creatively and strategically compile and launch campaigns to rebuild brand awareness. Seeing the results of the hard work, day in and day out, from our team is so exciting. My sense of enjoyment in my job comes from the challenges it poses. I love to negotiate and knowing the right dealer partner for the brands and bringing their understanding around to see the brand the way we do, along with the significant potential they each have, can be exhilarating. My roles are constantly changing, and I love that. I am also blessed to have some incredibly strong women working for me on my team, women that are creative and talented and work tirelessly to build and promote each of our automotive brands.
What does a typical workday look like?
There really is no typical day; my calendar can move hourly between the Opel side of the business and the Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Honda side. I have learned a balance in the last year, and it works well because I have an excellent team and ongoing support from the Managing Directors on both sides along with the wider Gowan Group.
Any given day can see us discussing and planning launch marketing activity for one of the many new models coming for Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo over the next months, meetings with new prospective dealers, reviewing customer satisfaction results for Opel or discussions around new dealer contracting for all brands. The role is massively diverse and as someone with a strong creative drive, it works unbelievably well for me as it never fails to challenge me in so many ways
As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, have you encountered any challenges? How have you dealt with these situations?
The automotive industry has always been a male-dominated arena to operate in as a woman. Although there have been so many technological advancements through the years with vehicles, the way the industry has done business has changed very little in the last few decades. New distribution models and the ever-increasing rate of consumer adoption of electric vehicles will see that change more in the coming years. Coupled with the number of women being appointed to senior roles will mean that the industry will change more in the next five to seven years than it has in the last 50 years, and I feel privileged that I get to be a part of those monumental changes.
I can’t say that I haven’t experienced situations much earlier in my career, where a prospective new dealer may have been surprised to see a female Network Developer walk through his door and may have initially believed that I was there to lay across the car rather than negotiate on behalf of the brand itself. Those initial impressions were always dispelled quickly, however, when they began to see the knowledge base I operated from and mutual respect was quickly reached. Those experiences were very few and I can honestly say that I have always been lucky enough to work with exceptional men within the automotive industry, who place no significance on gender within a team. Everyone is treated equally, and all ideas are embraced and shared in the same way. Women bring a different dynamic to the industry, and men have been quick to recognise the value and strength that female colleagues add to a team.
Any advice for other women working in male-dominated roles?
“Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”– Ralph Emerson
Don’t be afraid to be a trailblazer. Go on a journey and set your own path. Male-dominated industries can allow women to learn alternative ways of tackling projects and meeting goals. Women historically have always worried too much, believed they aren’t good enough, suffered from imposter syndrome, and second-guessed themselves more times than they can remember, but the truth is our male peers approach their careers with a completely different mindset. They have a greater inbuilt sense of belief in their abilities and a knowing that they will get there. Women need to have more belief in the contribution they bring, more faith in their abilities and more confidence to push ahead and achieve their goals.
Finding the right organisation is so important too. I am proud to work in a company like Gowan Group which has five female shareholders and a culture that places huge emphasis on the importance of women in the automotive industry.
As someone who works with cars, do you love driving? Know much about cars?
Elwyn White once said, “Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car”. Cars represent the possibility of adventure, freedom and exploring the unknown. A dynamically driving car and an open road can clear your head like nothing else and make you remember the possibilities. I would say I have a really good knowledge of cars; it’s hard not to want to know more and more about them. The evolution of the vehicle over the last 100 years and more recent technological advancements leaves you in awe of its capabilities and beauty.
What’s your idea of the perfect road trip?
A perfect road trip is as much about the perfect driving location as it is about the perfect car. Italy is a magical place and the stretch of road from Sorrento to Amalfi is picture-perfect. The road runs along this spectacularly breathtaking coastline and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It almost looks like a balcony that’s clinging to the steep cliffs that roll down into the sparkling blue/green sea. I have so many ‘perfect cars’ on my list that I would have you here all day talking about them but regardless of the brand, it would be something very responsive to drive with an impressive growl from the engine!
Carmel Treacy, Human Resources Director, Gowan Group
What drew you to the automotive industry?
Despite living in Dublin for many years, I will always be a Galway girl at heart, coming originally from a lovely townland called Dunmore. Having grown up on a farm, my work ethic and love of being outdoors were instilled in me from a very young age. I moved to Dublin to study science at Trinity College so my primary degree in microbiology could not be further removed from my current career as an HR Director. Having completed a postgraduate diploma in business administration, I found the discipline of human resources really interesting so I returned to college part-time to take on a degree in HRM (human resources management).
I was not necessarily drawn to the automotive industry, having previously worked in recruitment and software localisation industries, but I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to take on the role of HR Manager with the Gowan Group, five years later becoming Group HR Director, so while some subsidiaries within Gowan Group are automotive, my remit also extends to our sister companies in KAL and Senator Windows.
On a personal note, I am married with two daughters, Naomi (eight years old) and Vanessa (seven years old), so they certainly keep us busy when not at work. I have a great relationship and friendship with my four siblings and parents, so family along with my close circle of wonderful friends are my number one priority.
What are the primary responsibilities of your role? What do you enjoy most about it?
The primary responsibility of my role is to recruit and retain the best talent within the Gowan Group, so I work collaboratively with senior management to create strategies to ensure the achievement of HR objectives. Other responsibilities include implementing and overseeing the administration of HR programmes, including compensation, benefits, leave, disciplinary matters, performance and talent management, recognition, training and development.
Working in HR can sometimes be hard, but it can also be immensely rewarding. There are many plates to keep spinning, constantly trying to make sure one doesn’t drop, while at the same time doing my best to support our company’s people. I am very fortunate to work in a company where there is an amazing team of people employed, so what I really enjoy most is the opportunity to connect with every employee.
What does a typical workday look like?
It may sound cliché but there is definitely no typical workday in HR. The variety is certainly what makes it so busy yet enjoyable. Over the past three and a half years we have acquired seven new brands into Gowan Auto to join Peugeot and Honda. The new brands include Opel, Citroen, DS, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional and Jeep, which meant the onboarding and consolidation of many new team members into the company. We recently merged into one motor distribution company, Gowan Auto, which involved HR strategic input. More recently my role took on a new tangent being heavily involved in the project management of the renovations, open plan layout, furnishing and relocation to our new Gowan Auto premises in Citywest.
As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, have you encountered any challenges? How have you dealt with these situations?
While the automotive industry is predominantly male-dominated, this is certainly changing; a change which is welcome and progressive for our industry. No doubt there were some challenges along the way, but determination and growing confidence helped to overcome such challenges. I work very collaboratively with my male colleagues across the Group, some of whom I would consider mentors in my earlier career. As HR Director, I am very conscious of driving the change of gender balance in our industry and we have a phenomenal team of female colleagues working across the whole group. We are privileged that our company is owned by five female shareholders, Mrs Gemma Smith-Maughan and her four daughters who have been hugely supportive of growing female participation in our industry.
Any advice for other women working in male-dominated roles?
Rely on your knowledge, experience, intellect, emotional intelligence and confidence to develop your career. Recognise the value of your opinion and believe that what you have to share is worth listening to. Know your worth and make it obvious to others. Seek out both female and male mentors who will support and encourage career development. Use your female friends as sounding boards for advice and support each other.
As someone who works with cars, do you love driving? Know much about cars?
Driving for me used to be functional. Now it’s enjoyable! With the stunning range of cars within Gowan Auto, it’s always exciting to hear about new model launches and product features, test drive them, and be an ambassador for promoting the fantastic range of brands within the Gowan Auto stable. I am currently driving a Peugeot e-2008 and electric is the way to go.
What’s your idea of the perfect road trip?
My idea of the perfect road trip has to include good company, good music, good coffee and great scenery. The best road trip my husband and I had was a trip to New Zealand driving through both the North and South Islands, stopping off wherever we decided to take in the breathtaking scenery and the stunning vineyards, do some kayaking and even fit in a skydive. It’s a road trip I would love to relive with my daughters when they are older.
To learn more, visit Gowan Group online.
Photography by Melanie Mullan.
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