Carwow launches women's network and CEO joins Automotive 30% Club

Carwow has announced its launch a women's network after founder and chief executive James Hind became the latest member of the Automotive 30% Club.

As part of a new recruitment and staff development strategy, the online car marketplace's first diversity-focused employee network - named ‘Wow Women’ - has been designed to bring team members who identify as women together from across departments.

The aim is to allow them to share knowledge, experience, and advice to help the company create a more inclusive environment.

James Hind, Carwow founder and chief executive officer has also signed up as a Silver Member of the Automotive 30% Club.

Hind said: “As a digital marketplace and retail media brand, Carwow covers two traditionally male-dominated industries: technology and automotive.

“However, we believe firmly that having a diverse workforce that reflects the composition of the population at large simply enables us to be a better business.

“We’re assessing our processes to make sure all roles are accessible for women. That involves analysing job descriptions for gender bias, completing anonymised CV screening, and using gender-balanced hiring panels during the interview phase of applications.

“We’ve also introduced inclusive new parental policies, such as shared maternity leave and partner leave, allowing more flexibility for women to return to work.”

A new category in the 2022 AM Awards will recognise UK motor retailers which are working hard to improve the diversity and inclusion in their workforce.

In the latest AM News Show podcast, Professor Jim Saker told AM Online the automotive sector needs to drive its “cultural competence” to deliver levels of diversity and inclusion which could help solve its skills crisis.

Hind added: “I’m extremely proud to be a long-standing member of this network (Automotive 30% Club) and it is directly influencing our efforts to set new benchmarks for recruitment and employee management.”

Carwow said it is expanding its workforce and will exceed 500 employees this year.

The company said it regularly requests feedback from its employees by asking them to complete a satisfaction survey every six months, which includes a section on diversity and inclusion.

Hinds added: “We want our company to be a safe place for everyone to have a voice and to feel they are able to be themselves.

“These surveys help us reach our diversity and inclusion goals, as we use the feedback to assess our current employee satisfaction levels and if we need to change to reach our target.”

Julia Muir, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, said: “James was one of our founder members at the very start of the campaign in 2016, and so I am delighted that he has now become a Silver Member to emphasise his support for increased female representation.”

“The actions being taken by Carwow to realise the ambition of being one of the most diverse and inclusive employers in the sector, and also the support they give to the Club with our activities will lead to significant positive change.”