My motoring inspiration: Sophie Charman

How did you first get into cars?

My emotional attachment to cars began very early on. I remember crying when my dad sold his Mk3 Ford Fiesta when I was five. I have fond memories of helping him work on classic cars, and a few years later, I was adjusting valves on an A-series Mini engine.

More than anything, I was drawn to how cars made me feel, and when I turned 10, I asked my dad to build me a race-prepared classic Mini.

My dad had already built his first car – a bright orange Mini – so this project was quite exciting. I lost track of the number of trophies I accumulated over the five years racing. It also felt good to be championing young women in a male-dominated hobby.

When did you decide that journalism was for you?

As I progressed through school, I enjoyed combining my love of writing with my hobby. I used to write my own race reports, and by the age of 18, I was collecting car magazines and telling my mum that I was going to be a motoring journalist.

I found the only degree-level automotive journalism course in the country and applied. My tutor told me I should set my sights lower, but not only did I secure a place, I graduated with First Class Honours.

At the same time, I was freelancing for Autosport and Motorsport News. A milestone for me was meeting the Guild of Motoring Writers committee and being Highly Commended for the Phil Llewellin and Sir William Lyons Awards. I went on to become a member of the Guild’s committee and mentor other automotive journalists. I’m extremely proud of that.

Where did your career take you after your degree?

I landed my first job with Car Dealer magazine and worked my way up to Features Editor. I ventured into the world of automotive PR for a while and eventually became Deputy Editor for two motorsport magazines: Race Tech and Historic Racing  technology.

Changes in my personal life saw me move to a Motoring Writer role with the Royal Automobile Club . Dotted in between, I became the motoring columnist for a luxury lifestyle magazine, Editor of the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club magazine, supplied copy to titles such as MINI Insider, Boundless Magazine and Autosport, and wrote my first book, BMW MINI: An Enthusiast’s Guide, published by The Crowood Press.

These days, I work for PFPR Communications, one of Europe’s largest automotive PR companies, and I really enjoy how it challenges me.

Has being a woman helped or hindered your career?

A bit of both. I’ve never been keen on using my gender to self-promote or as a way of justifying challenging events, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t played a part. I would say that being a woman in ‘a man’s world’ drew attention to me and opened up opportunities.

I’m thankful that the negative experiences I’ve faced have been few and far between and, if anything, they gave me the incentive to aim higher and achieve more. Fellow journalists and industry professionals were mostly welcoming and supportive during the early days and, through experience, you tend to know who to watch out for and what to expect.

What advice would you give to others wanting to work in the automotive industry?

Be the most genuine version of you that you can be. People are drawn to authenticity, which is a good trait to have in a people-facing profession. Keep aiming high, keep pitching yourself and your stories, find your voice and, most of all, enjoy it. It’s a fast-paced industry and one that keeps you on your toes and learning as you go.

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