'I’d already been proactively told about JLR's great family policies and people first culture'

I’m Jessica Rees. Finance Director at JLR.
I love my job - JLR is an exciting, engaging, and caring place to be, and being a leader in finance brings so many opportunities to influence the business. It’s an industry and business facing into a lot of change. This makes things interesting, challenging, and means you can really make an impact. One of the things I love the most is helping to develop the people around me. Any day where I’ve been able to support, inspire or encourage someone to achieve their best feels like a great day, and helps to pay forward the support I’ve had to help me get to where I am today.

My career in Finance.
I haven’t always known I wanted to work in Finance. I started out with a degree in Electronic Engineering but quickly decided that wasn’t for me. In truth, partly swayed by the lack of gender diversity on my course back then. But I did want to work in an engineering environment which led me to start my career at Network Rail on their Finance Graduate scheme.

7 years, 5 roles and a CIMA qualification later I wanted to broaden my experience so moved to Travis Perkins Plc. I joined there in a Head of Finance role but quite quickly took on a broader remit leading the delivery of the supply chain efficiency programme I’d helped to instigate. I’d encourage all finance people to take on that type of experience - taking full accountability for delivery of changes outside my areas of expertise exposed me to such a steep learning curve and I had to step up my leadership skills much faster than I ever would have in a pure finance role.

After 3 years at Travis Perkins I was approached by Network Rail to return in a newly created Finance Director role. It felt good to be back at NR and I was so much better at my job because of the learning that came from the different culture and working environment at TP. That helped me gain a promotion into an executive level Finance Director job 2 years later, leading the finance, property legal and investment functions in NRs largest region.
I knew I didn’t want to be in the Rail Industry forever and I missed the commerciality of working for a PLC. So, when the chance to join JLR came about it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. A year into my time at JLR and what an excellent choice it’s been. I’ve been impressed by the genuine commitment to curating a positive working environment and can see so many opportunities for my personal development for years to come. 

Balancing my career and family.
The move to JLR came at quite the interesting time for me personally. We’d been trying to start a family for a couple of years and the conversations with JLR had been ongoing for a while. Typically, the job offer finally came in just as we were about to embark on the next stage of that process.
It felt like I needed to make a choice between family and career. I was in a very well supported position in my old job to fully focus on that process. But I knew I’d regret not moving to JLR, particularly if having a baby didn’t work out for us. It also struck a nerve with me that this is the type of thing that can really hold women back in developing their careers. I wanted to try and break down that barrier.

So, I took the decision to open up to the recruiter about my position. I was nervous about doing so, it’s not a conversation you typically have at this point in a recruitment process! But thankfully the response from JLR was brilliant - they were fully understanding and assured me that I would be supported however things worked out. Cue the relief! This process taught me a lot. Firstly, how important and beneficial it is to open up to those around you – I would have turned this job down if I hadn’t spoken up. And secondly, how important it is to proactively demonstrate your support for people, even if they haven’t told you they need it. I was only brave enough to ask because I’d already been proactively told about JLRs great family policies and people first culture. So ever since, I’ve been sharing my story and encouraging others to do the same. The response I’ve had from doing so has been heart-warming.
I’m now proud to say I’m happily enjoying my time on maternity leave with little Emilia Rose. I’m taking the full year off to focus on her, and what a pleasure it is to do so! It’s the longest time I’ve had away from work by far, and I have no doubt it will be a challenge to adjust back and balance the commitments of a young child when I return. But I’m sure I’ll do so from a refreshed and energised position, with a whole new outlook on life that she’s helping me to develop.

And what next?

I tend to describe myself as accidentally ambitious. I didn’t initially set out with the aspirations that I have today, but as I’ve progressed and discovered what I’m best at and what I enjoy the most I’ve set my sights on continuously more challenging targets. I’m quite open to where that takes me, and excited about what lies ahead and whatever my career brings, I’ll be sure to take an active role in JLRs women in finance and working parent’s networks. Both to help me with my personal journey, and to do my bit to lead and advocate for these important causes across the business.