Women@SIMI
19th September 2018
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) hosted its 5thannual Women@SIMI event in conjunction with its sponsor Bank of Ireland Finance recently with over 160 professional women from a variety of counties, representing different sectors within the Motor Industry in Ireland, in attendance.
Delivering an impressive panel of speakers, Anne Cassin, Master of Ceremonies interviewed Francesca McDonagh CEO of Bank of Ireland. Gerard O’Farrell President of SIMI addressed attendees on this his first official engagement as SIMI President. He opened proceedings by acknowledging the importance of recruiting top talent and encouraging both female and male executives to become more actively involved in helping to change the perception of careers within the Industry as a very attractive career option.
Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Journalist and Editor shared a passionate insight into her views on the Motor Industry. In 2012, she launched a website wheelsforwomen.ie and highlighted that “advertising needs to reflect women, images need to show women but the industry needs to employ more women. Role models and females must be visible in the industry.”
There is a talent crisis across the automotive industry. Electric cars, Vehicle connectivity, self-driving cars, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing regulatory pressures are creating a complex environment and there are compelling reasons for women to be a part of that. Women represent a critical yet under represented resource capable of helping automotive companies to take that competitive advantage”.
