AvailableCar chief executive Michael Bell has said that the used car supermarket group is looking forward to the “successes” a more diverse workforce can bring after joining the Automotive 30% Club.

The Leicestershire-based ID50 used car retail operation confirmed today (January 23) that it has joined the group which was founded by Julia Muir in 2016 with the aim of filling at least 30% of leadership roles with women by the year 2030 to achieve a better gender balance within the automotive sector.

Bell, who took up his post of AvailableCar chief executive in May last year, said: “At AvailableCar we have always recognised the importance of the role in women in business and we continue to promote diversity and opportunity for everyone in the retail motor industry – this is why we are extremely delighted to become part of the Automotive 30% Club.

“As a family business for over 18 years, we know it is not only right and proper but also hugely beneficial to have an appropriate gender balance and so we look forward to achieving the ’30 by 30’ target and benefitting from the successes that it will inevitably bring.

“We know also that the example this will set will have a hugely positive effect on all our staff throughout the business – showing that opportunity is there for all.”

Welcoming the business to the Club, Muir – also chief executive of Gaia Innovation, which aims links students with employers to inspire career-led education – said: “I’m pleased to welcome Michael Bell of AvailableCar into the Automotive 30% Club.

“Michael is a very strong sponsor and advocate of women in automotive and is keen to ensure that AvailableCar is an inclusive business, and it will be great to bring him on board to work towards our shared goal of achieving a greater gender balance across the automotive sector.”

Back in November Automotive industry leaders were told there was “no silver bullet” to increase female inclusivity in the sector’s key roles as the UK Automotive 30% Club hosted its fourth annual conference.

The event, attended by more than 100 HR directors, MDs, chief executives and change leaders from across the automotive sector, was held at Auto Trader’s head offices at Kings Cross as the online car retail marketplace reached 9th position in the organisation’s Top 50 Inclusive Companies rankings.