Automotive News Europe - October 2016 - Leading Women - 29


Sue Slaughter
Chief operating officer | Getrag Ford Transmissions | Cologne, Germany | 47

❚ EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree
(with honors) in business
studies from the University
of East London, London,
England; qualified member
of the Chartered Institute
of Procurement & Supply

What attracted you to the
auto industry?
I stumbled into the industry at
age 18 without any long-term
expectation, but when I started looking for a career that
would allow me to continue
my education and learning, it
was clear that I made the right
choice. The diversity of work
and the physical relationship
with the products is second to
none. That made working in
this field very attractive to me.
First automotive job:
I started as a business apprentice in supply with Ford as an
undergraduate in 1987. My
first job was at Ford's plant in
Dagenham, England, in release and follow-up.
What was your big break?
It was more of a gradual development. Although, I got a little
more notice during the financial
crisis of 2008 and 2009 because of the way I managed a
few key supplier relationships.
What major challenge have
you faced in your career?
The biggest challenges are
probably the constraints you
put on yourself. Also, I really

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enjoy being challenged and
having to adapt to different
situations. I think that is what
makes our industry so fascinating. There are always challenges but it is how you react
to them and overcome them
that is important.
Who has had the biggest
influence on your career?
I have been very fortunate to
have been surrounded by some
strong leaders both at Ford and
while working with the supply
base. But, if I had to say one
person, it would be my mother.
She is a very strong woman
who had a full-time career while
raising three children with my
father. She attained the highest
level she could in her chosen
path of nursing. She taught us
to be independent, strongwilled and to do our best no
matter what we did.
What should be done to
encourage women to enter
the auto industry?
What excites me about the industry is the variety of roles
and activities we have to manage. The industry does a poor
job of advertising how high
tech and leading edge we are
in some areas. There are opportunities in so many different fields and those roles are
continuously evolving as we
adapt to keep pace with fastchanging global trends.
What's your favorite weekend activity?
Since I have been in Germany
I've really enjoyed visiting new
towns and villages. When I am
in the UK, I typically catch up
with my friends and family
over a nice meal.
What keeps you awake
at night?
The political unrest globally at
the moment and in particular

❚ FAMILY: Single
❚ BORN: Essex, England
❚ NATIONALITY: British
❚ LANGUAGES: English,

some German

for me as a Brit, the aftermath
of the Brexit.

Name one talent you wish
you had.

Name one thing about yourself that most people don't
know.

I would love to play a musical
instrument well.

I am double jointed.
If you could have dinner
with anyone, living or dead,
who would it be?
My dad. He passed away recently and I would love to have
a chat with him.
If I had it to do all over
again, I would ...
I would get a degree in engineering. I'm not sure if it
would have changed my career path, but I love the mechanics of how things work
- or don't - when there is a
quality issue. Having an engineering background is such a
benefit in our industry.

Best advice you've ever
received?
Never be afraid to ask a question to clarify and learn more,
no matter how simple it may
appear to be.
What advice would you give
your child?
Whatever you do do it with passion, to the best of your ability
and make sure you enjoy it.
If you were a car, what car
would you be?
I would love to name something sporty, but honestly I
have to say something functional and incredibly versatile such as a Ford Kuga or
Focus wagon. ANE

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