My motoring inspiration: Esther Jones

A series of diverse jobs in sectors such as TV and alarms followed by a chance interview led to a rewarding 32-year (and counting) career for the AA's Business Manager for Key Accounts.

You didn’t start your career in automotive. Where did you work before making the leap?

I actually worked at Central Television for a while, then took a series of jobs for companies that installed alarms. I also worked for a firm of architects as well as a number of employment agencies. Quite varied roles.

How did the shift to the automotive sector happen?

When I applied for my role I didn’t actually know it was with The AA. It was a tiny little advert in a newspaper that just said ‘Part-time admin person wanted’, with the hours of 10am until 2.30pm. It was only when I got to the interview that I realised it was actually for The AA.

I was told it would never be full-time but it fitted with me having a young daughter at the time. I thought, ‘Perfect, I could take her to school, get to work for 10am, finish work then pick her up.’

After more than 30 years with the company, you’re now Business Manager Key Accounts. What does that involve?

My role is split into three. The first involves my work in business services, as well as looking after affinity partnerships and buying groups. I am the relationship manager for all of those organisations.

The second part is looking after small and medium-sized enterprises. If there’s an account with more than 50 vehicles then I’m the manager for that relationship. I am also the relationship manager for the charge point operators. At The AA, we have 10 charge point companies, which take the calls from customers if they are having problems with a charge point. If the cable is stuck, they have a billing enquiry or have problems with the app, they call one of The AA’s charge point companies, and I manage those relationships.

How would you like your career to progress?

The answer is simple: I have no idea what’s down the line. My career journey so far has been very natural, but The AA is really good at saying, ‘If you have an interest in something then go and do it.’

As I look after the charge point operators, I’ve done the IMI Level 2 EV training, which the patrols undertake, so I know exactly what their capabilities are. I’m also about to have some media training on the back of an EV Rally I’ve just done.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Have confidence in yourself and your ability, and persevere. It doesn’t always happen immediately, but as long as the company treats you well and you have good managers behind you then the sky is literally the limit.

Photograph: Malcolm Hackett (Malcolmthephotographer)

This is an edited extract from IMI's new MotorPro magazine, received free as part of IMI membership.