What better day to celebrate the powerful contribution that women make to businesses and industries throughout the world than International Women’s Day? And who better to discuss this with than a woman leading a business in a sector that has traditionally been heavily male-dominated? Jane Pocock (pictured), the MD of Copart UK, noted that her appointment to the role was an active reflection of how attitudes are changing across the insurance ecosystem and how this, in turn, reflects the demand for a more sustainable future.
“Sustainability is a key focus for us, and that’s about looking at how we can be a better business in the future,” she said. “And that leads into how we handle equality, diversity, inclusion and all those other topics that influence how I, as the leader of Copart in the UK, can inspire my people to behave in the right way.
“I’m really grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity and I see it as my responsibility to make sure that the organisation that I run is appreciative of equality. I would hate anybody who worked for me to not be happy in their work environment and not be able to just be themselves, whatever their religion, or dress code, or dietary requirements. And I can honestly say that in our company everyone is happy to really be themselves at work.”
Pocock hopes that more women will be encouraged by her progression to take on new opportunities in sectors that they may not have previously considered. Copart has got some great female truck drivers, for instance, she said, and when it comes to doing an engineer’s inspection of a car it’s not about physical strength but rather a technical mindset. The business is lucky that through its education and training systems it has been able to put that equality mindset into gear.
“So, if you’re a girl, and you want to work outside, and you want to inspect cars all day long, then great,” she said, “we’re really happy to have you. We’re creating that environment and we’re communicating it more. And I don’t think there’s a job in our company that I would honestly say, cannot be done equally well by anyone, regardless of their gender.”
As MD, Pocock works closely with many insurance companies operating in the UK market and she highlighted that during her career she has seen an evolving understanding of inclusivity throughout the sector. This is a subject on everyone’s radar these days, she said, and COVID has accelerated this to some extent by increasing the demand for businesses to protect the wellbeing of their people.
There are some key ways in which companies can create an environment in which people can flourish, which will in turn lead staff to develop their confidence and transferable skillsets. Everyone starts somewhere, she said, noting that she began her career in a claims department, and there is no reason anyone can’t get to the top of an organisation if they put their minds to it. Leaders need to empower their staff by creating a ‘no limits’ culture where people are supported to fulfil their full potential.
“And I know I’ve been fairly lucky as a woman that’s always worked in the automotive sector that my hard work has been acknowledged and enabled me to reach [this position] and that most of my experiences have been positive,” she said. “But I totally understand some people that have not had such a great time and I think it’s important that people can have the opportunity to put those experiences behind them, and see a better world arriving. And I know I need to create that environment and say ‘look, that was then, it’s not now, and let’s make sure that history never repeats itself in that way.’”
Businesses that don’t embrace the need to show consideration and empathy will undoubtedly be left behind, she said, and, as a business leader, she has long championed the need for empathy in creating an inclusive environment. This form of sensitivity is not a weakness at all but instead is critical to the future of work.
The key message that Pocock would deliver to women and girls looking to explore new industries is to always remain positive in the face of adversity and to see their life as having no limits.
“Don’t let anybody stop you doing what you want to do,” she said. “And when I look back on my life, I see the positivity that my parents gave me. I think that glass-half-full mindset is great and I think the future for people in the workplace is great. Because a lot of the people that managed the prejudices of the past have now retired and I think that’s a real turning point in the work environment.
“And I would really hope after something as tragic as COVID, that some positivity now flourishes and that companies are more flexible and more adaptable to new future working environments that allow people to have a better work-life balance, and are also more considerate of the people around them. That’s the one thing I’m really hoping for.”
