Your Mentor Network
At Group 1 Automotive.
Connect, Learn and Grow
Great careers are rarely built alone. The Group 1 Mentoring and Networking Events bring together ambitious employees from across the business to share experiences, build meaningful connections and inspire one another's growth. Through open conversations, practical activities and real career stories, the events create opportunities to learn from colleagues who have navigated different paths to success.
Whether you're looking to build confidence, expand your network, explore new opportunities or find guidance for your next career move, you'll discover a community ready to support and challenge you. From insightful panel discussions to collaborative mentoring activities, every conversation is designed to help you identify where you want to grow and how to get there.
Most importantly, the journey doesn't end when the events close. Participants are encouraged to continue building relationships, sharing knowledge and supporting one another long after the day itself, creating a stronger, more connected network across Group 1.
Questions about the mentoring network? Email mentornetwork@group1auto.co.uk.
Get to know Your Mentor Network
Who I am
Name: Alex Smith
Role: Service Advisor
Location: Skoda Southend
How to connect
How to connect: Email or phone
What I offer
Career highlights: Completing my Service Advisor accreditation with 100% - I have never achieved 100% in anything I have done!
I can help with: I have been in the motor trade since leaving school in 2017 across a few brands. I started off as an apprentice in Parts, so would be happy to share my development experience.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: I am currently working alongside my manager to gain leadership experience and to be able to step up as a leader if he is offsite at any point. I have been given different and new responsibilities to expand my knowledge such as workshop control, complaints etc. I am working towards going on management training.
One conversation I'd love to have: I would love to hear inspiring stories as I love to support other people and feel this would be helpful in building my confidence. On the other hand, I would like to know the common struggles that people have encountered so that
Who I am
Name: Chantelle Reichmann
Role: New Car Sales Manager
Location: Ford Farnborough
How to connect
How to connect: Email
What I offer
Career highlights: Being noticed for two promotions and winning an award for Group 1 with Ford UK.
I can help with: Confidence within my role against other sales managers.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: General Manager role.
One conversation I'd love to have: Understanding how other women deal with pressure in the workplace.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Know your worth.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Knowing I can do my job and push myself further.
Who I am
Name: Charlotte Crossley
Role: People Business Partner
Location: Field
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Progressing from HR Admin to People Business Partner and completing my Master's in HR Management.
I can help with: Best practice for people management.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming more proactive in my role and looking for opportunities.
One conversation I'd love to have: Best way to begin thinking more strategically.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Have some faith in your abilities (still working on this though!).
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Saying yes to things (like this), but also saying no to things when I am uncomfortable or when they don't contribute for the better.
Who I am
Name: Charlie Haxton
Role: BMW / MINI Division Sales Administration Manager
Location: BMW Bedford
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, Teams or Zoom chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Promoted to my current role in 2021.
I can help with: I am very good at listening and being objective. I can usually see things from lots of different angles and help someone talk things through. I'm never judgemental and strongly believe that if you are doing your absolute best, then that is enough. Everyone is on their own journey.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: N/A
One conversation I'd love to have: How others manage their own insecurities when coaching someone else.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Trust yourself and don't be embarrassed by your work ethic. You currently worry others are judging you negatively because you "do more", but you enjoy it and want to try and build a career.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: I really want to try to believe in and see my value through stronger self-belief.
Who I am
Name: Ellie Emery
Role: Implementation Lead
Location: Contact Centre
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Years of management experience within the banking sector before joining Group 1. Progressed from Sales Administrator to F&I Support, taking on additional responsibilities along the way. Took a leap into the newly centralised Retention Team, leading to rapid career progression. Advanced from Team Leader to Senior Team Leader and now Group Retention Manager.
I can help with: Sales Retention, Communication and People Management.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: I am new in my role of Implementation Lead and learning a lot around HR processes, critical thinking and business risk.
One conversation I'd love to have: Shared experiences and what worked for others to drive their career forward, along with advice and guidance on overcoming challenges within a male-dominated working environment.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Be self-aware and approachable. You could be the one person that someone needs for support and guidance, and it is a great feeling to see someone else succeed.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Speaking up for myself and my beliefs.
Who I am
Name: Elle Gates
Role: ER and People Advice Manager
Location: Field
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: My career journey from front of house reception to senior roles.
I can help with: Managing difficult conversations, how to give and receive feedback, questioning skills and techniques, how to effectively utilise Copilot, being a sounding board and providing counsel.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Increasing skills and knowledge on strategic leadership, business partnering and transformation. Moving from expert problem-solver to capability builder.
One conversation I'd love to have: How to empower others rather than absorbing everything yourself, and when it is okay to step in and help with the load.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: When you are lacking motivation, just make a start on anything. Action creates motivation. Starting messy is still starting. Perfection is a motivation killer.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Over-immersion in detail, time blindness, people pleasing and being the hero.
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Who I am
Name: Emily Dowds
Role: Head of Property & Estates
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Email or phone
What I offer
Career highlights: Becoming a Chartered Surveyor.
I can help with: Property, strategic commercial objectives, contract management and project management.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Understanding others' growth and development paths.
One conversation I'd love to have: You don’t need to be perfect to be effective. Early in my career, I often felt pressure to have all the answers or deliver flawless outcomes every time. Over time, I’ve realised that what truly matters is being a safe pair of hands, someone others can rely on, who approaches challenges with integrity, sound judgement and a steady, practical mindset. Being dependable, collaborative and willing to learn has far more impact than striving for perfection. It’s about supporting the business consistently, making informed decisions and having the confidence to adapt when things don’t go exactly to plan. I’d also like to gain more technical automotive knowledge and welcome conversations about that.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Progress, resilience and trust build far more value than perfection ever could.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Owning my area of expertise and presenting it clearly. I’ve built a solid foundation of knowledge and experience, and I want to step forward with more confidence in sharing that, articulating my perspective concisely, influencing discussions and ensuring my voice is heard.
Who I am
Name: Emma Bennett
Role: Group IT Systems Accountant
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Teams chat or Email
What I offer
Career highlights: I am involved with the DMS harmonisation project moving from the Rev8 software to Drive. Our team have successfully moved all of the ex-Inchcape environments onto the Group 1 environments.
I can help with: I work daily on issues logged on helpdesk tickets for the DMS system.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Trying to be more confident.
One conversation I'd love to have: How to come across more confidently in meetings and how to articulate my ideas.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Women can have long-term careers within the motor sector in all departments.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Having group conversations to share my opinions and ideas. Putting myself forward for opportunities like these meetings.
Who I am
Name: Emma Marsh
Role: Senior Strategic People Business Partner
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Progressing from HR Advisor to HR Manager to Senior People Business Partner. Supporting and encouraging managers in their personal development and career progression.
I can help with: People management and health and wellbeing.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Being more assertive and respectfully challenging ideas or assumptions.
One conversation I'd love to have: The parenting penalty — balancing parenthood and work when wanting to enjoy a career, particularly, but not limited to, mothers and primary parents.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: You are more capable than you think.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Speaking up and taking the next step, wherever and whatever that may be.
Who I am
Name: Eszter Dalnoki-Nagy
Role: Head of Digital Products
Location: Coventry
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Head of Digital Products at Group 1 Automotive UK, leading digital platform strategy and delivery. Built and developed a high-performing cross-functional team while championing inclusive leadership. Driving AI adoption, digital innovation and measurable improvements in customer experience and performance. Focused on maximising the impact of digital strategy across the organisation.
I can help with: Digital, Digital Transformation, Agile Working, Coaching & Mentoring, and Team Development.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Developing myself both professionally and personally to become a more impactful and strategic leader. I would like the power and ability to sponsor and mentor women and underrepresented groups. I would like to contribute to and lead digitalisation and AI empowerment.
One conversation I'd love to have: Getting the right support, such as a mentor and sponsor, to further develop myself and my career.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Set boundaries earlier and take credit for your hard work and achievements.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Networking and celebrating my team's achievements.
Who I am
Name: Evie Campbell
Role: Service Advisor
Location: Volkswagen/Skoda Colchester
How to connect
How to connect: Email
What I offer
Career highlights: Becoming an accredited Service Advisor. Highlights will always be positive feedback from customers and managers.
I can help with: Customer satisfaction, time management and organisation, and upselling.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a Senior Service Advisor or moving into another role with more authority and responsibility.
One conversation I'd love to have: Where my current role can take me in the future.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: You will do well if you work hard and present yourself well. Have confidence; you are in your own lane, not anybody else's.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Really thinking about and actioning what I want out of my career.
Who I am
Name: Jas Kooner
Role: Property Accountant
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Progressed from Dealership Accountant to Head Office Finance Systems & Process Accountant, building extensive leadership and operational experience. Led finance process standardisation and systems improvement projects that delivered cost savings, efficiencies and enhanced reporting across the business. Recognised for strong leadership, award-winning performance and a commitment to improving finance systems, controls and stakeholder relationships. Trusted subject matter expert and key support contact for finance systems, processes and business change initiatives.
I can help with: All areas of Finance.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Learning Property Accounting, completing the Women in Management course, and introducing myself to a new colleague.
One conversation I'd love to have: Failures and how they shaped future success; if you had to mentor your younger self, what would you focus on; advice ignored in the past that you now wish you had taken.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Believe in yourself before everyone else does. Don't let self-doubt make decisions for you.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Taking on leadership opportunities outside my comfort zone and using my voice with confidence.
Who I am
Name: Kerry Barber
Role: Head of Fleet - Toyota & Lexus
Location: Field
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Joined as a Multi-Brand Key Account Manager in August and stepped into the Head of Fleet role on an interim basis in December. Appointed permanent Head of Fleet in April after embracing the challenge and making a broader impact across the business.
I can help with: Fleet, building relationships, networking, events, LinkedIn, and Certified Carbon Literacy.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Building a kind, fair and high-performing team where people feel supported to succeed. Developing my professional personal brand while helping and supporting others. I currently work with a Life Coach.
One conversation I'd love to have: Exchanging ideas with fleet and sales professionals on developing new talent, improving team performance, and sharing best practices that deliver results for both people and the business.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Resilience and confidence. Remember to always dream big, trust yourself, and take each step with courage and confidence. You've got this girl.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Stepping outside my comfort zone by taking on new leadership challenges and continuing to learn and grow.
Who I am
Name: Kimberley Kirk
Role: Sales Executive
Location: Toyota Derby
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Achieving my biggest month with 32 cars dealt and delivered.
I can help with: Being organised and multitasking effectively.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a more senior Sales Executive and taking on more responsibility.
One conversation I'd love to have: Open to all conversations.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: You are more than what you think.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Building my confidence.
Who I am
Name: Laura Burns
Role: Senior Strategic People Business Partner
Location: Field
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, Teams chat, or LinkedIn
What I offer
I can help with: Working through imposter syndrome, building relationships quickly, and supporting others to see and use their strengths.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Completing Level 7 CIPD and building more confidence with newer stakeholders.
One conversation I'd love to have: How other professionals structure their day, top tips, and how to give yourself credit.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Don't underestimate yourself or what you can achieve. Little steps each day make for a lot of progress.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Constructively handling disagreements with opposing views.
Who I am
Name: Laura Tuckey
Role: Contact Centre Executive
Location: Contact Centre
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Phone
What I offer
Career highlights: Being chosen to work in retention from my team, and being personally requested by Audi Watford to handle appointments for them.
I can help with: Confidence and objection handling.
Where I'm growing
One conversation I'd love to have: Maintaining morale when things are quiet.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Keep going and keep your main goal in sight.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Pushing myself more.
Who I am
Name: Leona Bursnell
Role: Mercedes-Benz Divisional Retention Lead
Location: Mercedes-Benz Norwich
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Joined in 2016 and progressed from Sales Executive at Mercedes-Benz Norwich to steering the customer loyalty programme across 140 dealerships. Now manages customer retention across all 19 Mercedes-Benz stores. Also selected for the Level 5 Women in Leadership apprenticeship.
I can help with: Sales, Finance, Customer Retention, working part-time, and all things women in the workplace.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a Head of Business before the age of 40. Exploring how to achieve this while working part-time and balancing childcare and family commitments.
One conversation I'd love to have: Has Group 1 looked at job-share opportunities?
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: A "what if" thought centres around fear. Shift it to "even if". Even if this happens, I will figure it out and get through it.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Communicating with confidence and pace, prioritising clarity over perfection, making my impact visible at a commercial level, and backing my judgement sooner.
Who I am
Name: Louisa Hillaby
Role: Learning & Development Specialist for Customer Experience
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Teams chat
What I offer
I can help with: Facilitation and training delivery, effective communication and presentation confidence, customer service excellence, workshop facilitation, aftersales operations, customer expectation management, performance management, and KPI development.
Where I'm growing
One conversation I'd love to have: Advice on returning to work after having a baby, and guidance for people wanting to be mentors so they understand they do not need to have all the answers.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Trust your experience and expertise. Confidence develops through practice and experience.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Having courageous conversations and appropriately challenging others when needed.
Who I am
Name: Louise Curtis
Role: People Services Admin and Onboarding Manager
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Teams chat, Phone, or Email
What I offer
Career highlights: Studying towards my Level 5 CIPD and being seconded to a manager position.
I can help with: People administration, recruitment processes, colleague records management, onboarding, and supporting colleagues with policies and procedures.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Continuing to streamline People Services processes, improve the colleague experience, build a positive and collaborative culture, and drive continuous improvements in quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
One conversation I'd love to have: Different management styles and what works well, as I am new to management and would like ideas I can try within my team.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Stay curious and embrace every opportunity to learn.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Building relationships with senior colleagues and expanding my professional network.
Who I am
Name: Natasha Denney
Role: Deputy Team Leader Order To Cash
Location: Maidstone First Point
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Phone
What I offer
Career highlights: Running exhibitions and conferences during my career.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a great Team Leader.
One conversation I'd love to have: How to build confidence.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: You can do it if you put your mind to it.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Going for Team Leader positions rather than putting them off.
Who I am
Name: Olivia Lapper
Role: Accounts Apprentice
Location: Maidstone First Point
How to connect
How to connect: Email or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Recently being added as the OTC Team member within a project.
I can help with: My role within the OTC team as an Accounts Apprentice, the responsibilities I carry out, and the processes I use daily.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Completing my Level 2 apprenticeship and progressing to Levels 3 and 4 within the company. I am also preparing to take on a different brand and successfully learn its processes and responsibilities.
One conversation I'd love to have: Understanding more about career progression and the mentoring tools and relationships available.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Be more confident when applying for jobs or sitting exams because you can do it if you try hard enough.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Speaking up more confidently and improving my public speaking during calls and presentations.
Who I am
Name: Sherrie Eldridge
Role: Senior Autoline Support Analyst
Location: Remote
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Teams chat, or Phone
What I offer
Career highlights: Being nominated for Unsung Hero at the Women in Motor Industry Awards.
I can help with: All things DMS related (Kerridge, Autoline and Autoline Drive), predominantly aftersales, point of sale, stock management, workshop loading, stock checking and purchase control.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Making more female friends, developing confidence in public speaking, and gaining additional learning through a Women in Management course.
One conversation I'd love to have: Nothing specific; I'm very open-minded.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: There is always another option.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Public speaking.
Who I am
Name: Sian Evans
Role: Service Advisor
Location: Toyota Derby
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, Teams chat, or WhatsApp
What I offer
Career highlights: Progressing from Star Expert to Customer Experience Expert, Sales Executive and Service Advisor across Mercedes-Benz and Toyota dealerships. Recognised for delivering excellent customer experiences and receiving outstanding feedback across multiple channels. Enjoyed a variety of development opportunities, including specialist training and selling a first AMG as a Star Expert.
I can help with: Creating exceptional customer experiences and using positive wording effectively.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a Senior Service Advisor, helping empower my team, improving workplace enjoyment, developing smoother ways of working, and expanding my professional network.
One conversation I'd love to have: Confidence and how to approach difficult conversations in the workplace.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Find a balance between work and home life. It is difficult, but you need to be disciplined.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Having difficult conversations.
Who I am
Name: Steph Macdonald
Role: Group Marketing Manager
Location: Field
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Progressed from Corporate Assistant to Head of Marketing, a career highlight at Group 1. Achieved CIM Level 6 and played a key role in the Inchcape acquisition and integration. Built strong relationships across the business while leading through growth and change.
I can help with: Marketing, management, and leadership.
Where I'm growing
One conversation I'd love to have: Quite a few! What mentors have made a difference to someone, and why? What did they do? How do you make your voice heard in challenging environments? What have been your biggest professional challenges and how did you overcome them? What approaches work best for achieving work–life balance?
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Go with your gut! (Ironic, given I have Crohn's!) Follow your intuition—your instincts are so important.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Speaking up.
Who I am
Name: Tara Barnes
Role: Social Media & Visual Merchandiser
Location: Nottingham
How to connect
How to connect: Email
What I offer
Career highlights: While working in the Service department, my Admin role was used as a demonstration to all Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
I can help with: Service Administration, Sales Administration, and creating adverts on Auto Trader.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Becoming a Star Expert.
One conversation I'd love to have: How to progress in a male-dominated workplace.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Hard work pays off, so keep going.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Expressing my boundaries and capabilities within my role and admitting when my workload becomes too much.
Who I am
Name: Vicky Hockley
Role: Talent Specialist
Location: Milton Keynes Head Office
How to connect
How to connect: Email, Phone, or Teams chat
What I offer
Career highlights: Embracing challenging projects that supported personal growth, building strong relationships across teams, broadening business understanding, and being entrusted with key responsibilities that developed confidence, adaptability and impact.
I can help with: Customer journeys, creating positive customer experiences, and recruiting strategies.
Where I'm growing
I'm currently working towards: Progressing into a Team Leader role, supporting the development of others, sharing knowledge, creating a positive team environment, and driving continuous improvement.
One conversation I'd love to have: Learning about others' career journeys, the challenges they have overcome, and the lessons they have learned to help shape my own progression.
What matters to me
An insight I'd share with my younger self: Have confidence in your abilities and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. New challenges build confidence and capability.
Something I'm ready to be braver about: Putting myself forward for new opportunities, sharing ideas more openly, and trusting my judgement.