I’m also lucky enough to work with wonderful colleagues who bring their authentic self to work

Q: What is your role at JLR and has it changed since you’ve been here?

My role is Transformation Manager. I started in Powertrain Engineering at JLR many years ago and since then my career has taken me across Commercial, Process Creation and externally to tech start-ups.

Q: Are you involved in any projects or networks?

I’m a REACH ambassador and do a lot of STEM work outside of work. I try and get involved wherever I can to raise awareness for issues that are important to me. I had the pleasure of being on the Purpose Podcast recently, and we discussed wellbeing and mental health – an important discussion which hopefully helped a few people out there.

Q: Tell us about your journey that led you to JLR.

I grew up in Jersey and went onto study Mechanical Engineering. I was always fond of how machines and mechanisms worked. I’d often take apart toys from a young age to see how they worked and try to put them back together again. Definitely don’t try this at home! After getting involved in Formula Student for my university, I realised my passion for the automotive industry, cars just excited me. After doing my graduate scheme at a consultancy, I moved into the exciting world of Propulsion Engineering. Working with the team to deliver the Power Supply System onto our products, even seeing these on the road today makes me feel giddy.

Q: How has JLR helped you progress in your career?

I’ve made connections here ranging from friends, bridesmaids, mentees to mentors. All of these people have created a JLR family for me. JLR has also helped me progress my career through the people I’ve met and the skills I’ve developed throughout my roles. I’m lucky to have an incredible mentor who challenges me, empowers me to reach for the stars and is super down to earth.

Q: How have your colleagues supported you in your career?

I’ve tried my best to create a safe environment in my team where people can be unapologetically themselves, where I make it my mission to support them in their career goals. Seeing individuals in my team flourish continues to motivate me. I’m also lucky enough to work with wonderful colleagues who bring their authentic selves to work.

Q: Finally, what does South Asian Heritage Month mean to you?

It means being able to unapologetically be myself and to celebrate the beautiful fusion of my South Asian and British culture, knowing that this will be totally unique to myself, there is real beauty in that. I grew up not seeing a lot of people that looked like me on TV, or even around me. Beauty standards for me were always confusing because of this. I was lucky to have a family that hyped me up every chance they got, which I found really empowering. But there was that representation element missing. As I grew up this started to change, I’d cling into TV shows or movies where there was representation for me, that’s why I loved Bridgerton Season 2 so much. I’m at a stage now where I wish to continue to be the representation for other people and I hope I can do this through South Asian Heritage Month.