• Women at Wilsons

Women at Wilsons

From the outside looking in you may say that Wilsons is highly dominated by males much like other car dealerships. With only 16% of women in the UK automotive industry, it is clear to see why it's deemed male-dominated.

Wilsons opened in 1904 and our business has been heavily influenced by women. Our founders Florence Wilson and Howard Wilson, discovered a gap in the market and offered driving lessons and went on to selling cars. Florence Wilson went on to be one of the first women driving instructors in the country and even helped Australians and New Zealanders to drive army tanks and trucks during the first world war. Throughout the years the women within the Wilsons family have worked their way through the business and many of whom have taken the leading roles acting as Managing Director and Directors. 

Our Wilsons team continues to grow, and we have more women in the business now than ever before., who make a huge impact on the day-to-day running of our business. Every sale that Wilsons has in one way or another is influenced by a woman from the call centre, sales team, prep, mechanics, service centre, admin, accounts, HR and marketing team. 

So what does a typical day look like for women in the Automotive industry? 

Sales

Sophie, our Hyundai Sales Executive spends her time, meeting new customers and working together to ensure they’re looking for the right car for them. Sophie will take customers on test drives and show them how the car works and the features it entails.

Georgia, our Sales Executive, loves working in the automotive industry. Covid-19 has introduced new ways of selling cars and means the team are more reliant on technology than ever, Georgia offers her customers Facetime appointments, so they can buy a car from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Prep

Our trainee prep workshop controller, Chloe has a variety of jobs to do during her day. Chloe’s main role is to ensure that all cars are mechanically checked and booked in to be seen by our mechanical technicians. Chloe’s job alongside the seven mechanics she currently overseas, ensures that all cars are safe to be shown and showroom ready for our customers.

Compliance and Operations

Tamara, our Compliance and Operations Manager, has worked at Wilsons for several years, starting as an Administrator. Tamara has worked her way up through the years, being promoted to Brand Manager of Nissan, to Brand Manager across multiple franchises and has recently been promoted to Compliance and Operations Manager. Tamara works with departments across the whole business and is an integral member of the Wilsons team.

Motability 

At Wilsons, we are a Motability Dealer for Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Dacia, Fiat, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Peugeot and Renault. Dannii, our Motability Specialist is on hand offering help, advice and helping customers find the right car for them.

Admin

Ana is part of our Sales Administration team here at Wilsons. Ana ensures that all cars brought are booked into our system with all information from servicing history to mileage is correctly imputed into our system allowing all vehicles to be accounted for and sold to customers. Ana then makes sure that all cars are taxed and invoiced correctly and once sold to a customer will ensure there is a V5 present and that the handover can go ahead.

Accounts

Mollie, our youngest accountant, works with our sales advisors and ensures all deposits and payments are taken for any cars that are purchased. Mollie ensures that all our companies spending are paid on time and any outstanding PPI claims are raised and paid within a timely manner.

HR

Our HR Manager, Kim works with all departments within Wilsons ensuring that all departments are complying with the working laws, are happy in their work environment and most importantly working safely in the different environments we have on-site. Carly, our recruitment specialist, works alongside Kim to employ new staff to join our Wilsons family.

Health and Safety 

Hayley is our Health and Safety Manager, an integral role following Covid-19. Hayley ensures Wilsons is safe for both staff and customers, and that the business can continue to operate through these uncertain times. Hayley implemented safety procedures throughout our showrooms and is constantly ensuring as a business we are implementing the correct procedures to stay Covid safe, as well as considering other risks and safety measures. Hayley is also the Senior Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, working hard to assist both our Managing Director and our team of directors.

Service

Carly has worked as a service advisor for several years at Wilsons, taking phone calls, assisting with bookings, checking customers in and assisting with their vehicles on a daily basis. Customer service is key and ensuring customers are satisfied and looked after is key. 

Marketing

Our Marketing Manager Lauren works with all marketing teams from our ten franchises ensuring we’re meeting brand standard on our site and website. Lauren is also very close to the sales side of the business working with all ten business managers to ensure all our new car offers are up to date in each quarter and helps them receive their quarterly targets.

We believe that the women working in our business have a powerful voice in which they feel confident and comfortable to put their opinions across and make positive changes to the way in which the business is run day-to-day. Our business wouldn't be what it is without them, and we pride ourselves on working amongst some fantastic individuals and promoting women in the Automotive Industry.

Vans

Our vans centre, Loads of Vans has many strong sales executives, which is very rare for the van industry.  Maria Wilson, our Vans Director, is one of the Wilsons family and runs the vans department, working closely with Tania, our Van Sales Manager, who have been running Loads of Vans and bringing a rare women's influence to the Vans industry. We also have some fantastic female van sales executives, Keelin and Jenny who bring a new approach to van sales.

Want to join our team? Have a look at our available jobs here. If there isn't something available right now, you can email us at [email protected].

Transport For London

Cars need to meet minimum emission standards when travelling in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or the daily charge must be paid.

Minimum emission standards

Petrol: Euro 4
Diesel: Euro 6

The ULEZ will be enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age. However:

Information from Transport For London

Check this car on the TFL website before purchasing: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

All our vehicles are subject to an Admin Fee. Our Admin Fee covers any additional administration needed during your transaction, including a thorough provenance check (HPI Check). The admin fee also includes the cost to fully valet, register and, if necessary, MOT your vehicle (if less than 6 months left of current MOT).

Our administration fee is a variable fee which covers the additional administration needed when transacting with different categories of customers as specified. Retail Customers £199.00 - (Private buyers - NOT an owner, partner or director of a new/used vehicle sales company). Retail Customers using a finance broker outside our official panel of lenders paying funds direct to Wilsons Epsom - £399.00. All fees are inclusive of VAT.