This week, we’re delighted to spotlight Nicky Bodley, Divisional Finance Director - South Midlands Market Area at Sytner, in this week’s Women in the Driver’s Seat series.
How long have you been in the automotive industry?
I started at BMW Solihull in 1992 as an Accounts Junior. My initial motivation for applying was simply that it was very local to where I lived! I ended up working in a lovely, small team with a really supportive accountant and accounts assistant. It was a brilliant place to work; we were quite a young team, it felt like family, and we genuinely looked out for each other.
Can you share a moment in your career when you felt especially proud or recognized?
I’ve been very lucky to work with some great managers who have shown encouragement and appreciation through the years, but if I had to pick just one standout moment, it would be when I was awarded ‘Sytner Accountant of the Year’. There are some very talented, hardworking people across the group, so I felt incredibly proud to have been chosen.
What excites you most about the future of the automotive industry?
If you’d told me back in 1992 (when I was driving my 1.0 MINI Metro) what we’d be doing with cars today, it would have been impossible to imagine. We’ve gone from traditional mechanical engineering, to building these incredibly smart, connected spaces. The pace of innovation at the moment is fascinating to watch. It feels like the industry has opened up to fresh perspectives and knowing that we're actually making transport cleaner and better for future generations makes it a fantastic era to be part of.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
I really like to travel. I’ve been to quite a few places in Southeast Asia which I loved, but the last few years we’ve turned our sights to Central and South America (Colombia and Guatemala have been particular highlights). I am currently learning Spanish, so it also gives me a great opportunity to practice.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
As an Accounts Junior starting out in 1992, I think I’d tell myself to have more confidence in my abilities. It’s very easy to think you need to know absolutely everything before you can take the next step up, but looking back, you learn so much more by throwing yourself into the role. I’d tell my younger self not to be so worried about whether I was entirely ready, get involved in the wider conversations earlier, and to just go for it.