At the IMI, we believe in a world where a thriving automotive sector is one that welcomes, supports, and empowers everyone. This International Women’s Day, we’re reinforcing our commitment to breaking down barriers and championing a more inclusive industry, where women are not only recognised but empowered in a way that allows them to truly thrive.
Through our work with educators, employers, and policymakers, and initiatives like There’s More to Motor, we’re intent on driving real change and celebrating the vital contributions of women in automotive. We believe in a future where women, and other historically underrepresented groups, are seen to be as competent and skilled as our male colleagues and where these voices are truly heard to drive meaningful change that delivers compelling results.
Now, hear from Bea Armstead, Diversity Lead at the IMI on her career journey and what International Women’s Day means to her.
Can you tell us about your role at the IMI and what your job entails?
My role within the IMI is Diversity Lead. As Diversity Lead, focusing on people is crucial for adopting an inclusive and supportive environment.
I work with both internal teams and external organisations, such as the World Skills EDI Advisory group, directly with companies so I can provide support for people and companies but also shows me different perspectives on how the sector can create action for better inclusion and support for everyone in the sector.
What is the best part of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to engage with individuals and hear their unique stories. Interacting with such a wide range of people allows me to gain valuable insights, with each conversation offering new perspectives and lessons. This also helps me with designing content and training that helps to make change in the sector and hopefully improve support for everyone. These interactions also inform my approach as EDI, without real people, isn’t impactful.
How did you get started with a career in the automotive sector?
In my previous role, I worked in the energy sector as a Inclusion Lead but also supported the partner EV company in providing care and support for neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled staff members. I loved working directly with people in this role to make real change for people.
However, I decided to seek a new opportunity as I felt ready to embrace a new challenge. During my job search, I came across the IMI and after conducting thorough research into the organisation, I was impressed by the impactful work they were doing in the areas of EDI and the "There's More to Motor" campaign.
I was particularly drawn to a statement on their website that read, “Some language may be incorrect in this article, but we are still learning.” This openness and commitment to growth immediately resonated with me, and I knew this was the organisation I wanted to be a part of.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and why do you think that it is important?
International Women’s Day is important to me as it is a day for ALL women, no matter your culture, ethnicity, religion, race, sexuality, if you are cis, trans or intersex.
No matter who you are it is a day for you, to celebrate you as a women but also a day that brings awareness and demands action from our allies and the sectors we work in. It is a day to see how far we come but it also a day that shows how far we have to go.
What does empowerment mean to you, and how have you experienced it in your career in the automotive sector?
I am a white cisgender woman, but I am also bisexual, chronically ill, disabled, neurodivergent, and from a working-class background. These intersecting identities shape my experiences, influencing the challenges I face in accessing equality due to my gender, sexuality, disability, and neurodivergence.
At the same time, my whiteness affords me certain privileges and advantages in society. Acknowledging this is crucial, as my journey is different from that of marginalised racial groups. Recognising these intersecting factors allows me to better understand the nuanced ways in which both privilege and marginalisation shape my experiences.
True empowerment comes from embracing and valuing the complexity of identity, ensuring that no one is asked to diminish or hide a part of who they are.
We need to spend less time on tick boxes and more time on people, if you want to empower people, respect them, understand you may not understand everything but respect and support them anyway.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles women face in the automotive sector, and how can we break down those barriers?
One of the most significant challenges women face is the prevailing perception within. The sector in my view, has the stereotype of it being a "boy's club" that persists, despite this not being the reality. There continues to be a strong association with gendered job roles - 'pink' for women and 'blue' for men - but this division is outdated and unfounded.
The core issue lies in a lack of access to equal opportunity and providing of and the perpetuation of stereotypes, which still influence decision-making. They say if you can’t see, you can’t be it and the IMI is working and the sector is working hard to shout about women in motor. We are still a small section of the sector but with outreach to younger ages, WorldSkills having more women winners and new roles being created all the time and we are hoping this will grow. There is a lot more work to do though in having a gender diverse sector.
To begin addressing this, companies should actively listen to their employees and communities. Senior leadership teams often make decisions based on their own perspectives and experiences, but a broader, more inclusive approach is needed. By considering the collective needs and experiences of their employees, organisations can gain a more accurate understanding of the challenges their workforce faces and work to create a more equitable and supportive environment.
How do you think the future of women in the workforce is evolving, and what do you hope to see in the future?
Lifestyles are evolving, and increasingly, men are recognising their gender privilege and using their influence to create opportunities for women, recognising and valuing the differences between genders and how this improves our sector with different views, ideas and thoughts but also striving for equal empowerment.
It is crucial to leverage existing resources and platforms within the sector to facilitate greater inclusion of all women, ensuring they are provided with the necessary support and visibility. The shift toward this change must begin now to see significant progress within the next decade.
As more women enter the sector, I hope to see a surge in new job roles and more career changers entering the sector. My vision is to see a future where nobody ever has to fight for their place at the table or right to be part of the industry.
Finally, do you have any advice for women considering a career in the automotive sector?
Do it! Life is too short not to do it. The motor sector a is great place to experience new things, and every time someone makes the decision to join, they make it a little bit better.
As women, we're often told there are countless things we shouldn’t do, and there are far too many expectations of how we should be. But the key is to do what drives you and strive to become the best version of yourself in whatever you choose to pursue and ignore others’ opinions on who you should be.
