International Women’s Day, marked each year on 8 March globally, recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a moment to reflect on progress made towards gender equality and the work that still lies ahead.
At Right Fuel Card, part of the Edenred Group, this year’s focus has been simple: spotlight the women within our business, listen to their experiences, and continue building an environment where opportunity is based on skills, not gender.
As an independent fuel card distributor operating in the traditionally male-dominated automotive and HGV sectors, we recognise the importance of representation across all departments from finance and compliance to sales, marketing and leadership.
A commitment to balance
Right Fuel Card is working towards a 50/50 gender split across the business. We are currently around 40% female representation, with some teams, such as finance, already achieving a balanced split.
This commitment reflects a wider responsibility as part of Edenred to create equitable opportunities and ensure diverse perspectives are represented at every level of the organisation.
While progress is being made, some departments across the wider industry, particularly sales teams, still tend to be male-heavy. A continued focus on inclusive recruitment and culture remains essential.
Experience, confidence and progression
To mark the day, three members of the team shared their perspectives on building careers within the automotive space.
Charlotte Taylor, Finance Director
A graduate of Northumbria University, Charlotte previously worked at Deloitte before joining Right Fuel Card over five years ago.
Now overseeing both the finance and management information teams, she reflects positively on her experience within the business:
You should never feel that being a woman should hold you back. If you’ve got the skills and competency, it shouldn’t matter what gender you are.
Charlotte Taylor Finance Director
Charlotte highlights that while the automotive sector has historically been male-dominated, her experience at Right Fuel Card has been more balanced. Her own team operates on a 50/50 split, demonstrating what intentional hiring practices can achieve.
Looking ahead, she believes continued effort is needed in areas where imbalance still exists, particularly within sales functions across the industry.
On empowering others, Charlotte emphasises active support:
Women should encourage and empower other women, putting them forward for opportunities and backing them up if their voice isn’t being heard.
Charlotte Taylor Finance Director
Natasia Daykin, Compliance Manager
A graduate of the University of Huddersfield, Natasia joined the business two years ago and now manages compliance, complaints, health and safety, and facilities.
Her career has included roles in significantly male-dominated environments, giving her a perspective on how workplace culture can vary.
If you’ve got the skills and experience and managed to get the job, you don’t have anything to prove.
Natasia Daykin Compliance Manager
Natasia notes that communication styles can differ in male-heavy environments, but confidence and clarity are key:
Stand your ground when needed
Ask questions even when it feels uncomfortable
Trust your experience and capability
She has observed a gradual reduction in gender divide across workplaces over the last five to seven years, with more balanced teams becoming the norm.
Looking forward, she believes diversity should work both ways, encouraging greater gender balance not just in automotive, but also in traditionally female-led industries.
Lottie Richardson, Content Specialist
Lottie works across internal communications, social channels, blog copywriting and website optimisation. With four years of experience in content, she joined the automotive industry seeking a new challenge.
She acknowledges that male-dominated dynamics are often most noticeable when collaborating across departments, particularly within sales or the wider HGV sector.
Don’t look at being a woman as something to hold you back. You should never feel like you can’t say what’s on your mind.
Lottie Richardson Content Specialist
She reflects on learning to speak confidently in boardroom settings, even when faced with strong personalities, a skill that develops over time.
For Lottie, workplace empowerment comes down to connection:
Having colleagues who check in, champion each other’s growth and support each other’s careers can make such a difference.
Lottie Richardson Content Specialist
Driving change across the industry
The automotive sector continues to evolve, and diversity is increasingly recognised as a commercial strength as well as a cultural one.
A more balanced workforce can bring:
Broader perspectives in decision-making
Improved communication across teams
Stronger employer branding and talent attraction
A healthier, more collaborative working culture
While Right Fuel Card is progressing towards its 50% target, we recognise that meaningful change requires ongoing focus on recruitment, development opportunities, and everyday culture.
About Right Fuel Card
Right Fuel Card is an independent distributor of fuel cards with a clear mission: to simplify fuel management for businesses across the UK.
As part of Edenred, a leading digital platform for services and payments connecting 60 million users and 2 million partner merchants across 45 countries, we are committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the businesses and drivers we support.
To learn more, visit: https://www.rightfuelcard.co.uk/
