Meet Furien: Senior Manager by day, Football Manager by night

What is your job role at JLR and when did you join?
I am Senior Manager of Freelander Design Programme Management based in Shanghai, I joined JLR since last September. Our projects are cross-company projects, I am the programme manager to link all project colleagues together, link the Chery all related functions to JLR creative team both UK and Shanghai hub.

What is the culture like at JLR China?
I would describe the culture at JLR China as very supportive and people-oriented. What stands out to me is the strong sense of care and inclusion. People are very professional at work, but also warm and approachable. We often have lunch together, exploring food around the office and sharing recommendations, which naturally builds a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Overall, it’s a place where you feel respected, supported, and encouraged to grow.

How do you balance work and home life?
I try to create a good balance by planning my evenings and weekends, whether that’s climbing, working out, or just taking time to relax. For me, having a happy and fulfilling home life is really important — it helps me recharge and regain energy. When I feel energised outside of work, it naturally has a positive impact on my focus and performance at work as well.

Tell us more about your role as a football manager outside of work?
During my MBA from 2020 to 2022, I spent two years as the football manager for our business school team. My role involved organising the summer league, securing sponsorships, developing a membership system, recruiting new members and players, and managing our social media presence. Through regular football activities, we were able to bring together both alumni and current students, building a really strong and connected community.

I spent most of my free time during that period on the pitch or working on football-related initiatives. I’ve loved football since I was young - I used to only see what a football manager’s life looked like in cartoons. But when I actually had the opportunity to take on this role myself, I found it incredibly exciting. I was full of ideas and energy, and it made me realise how fulfilling and meaningful life can be when you’re truly passionate about something.

How do you embrace change?
I’ve always been quite open and flexible, and I don’t tend to see change as something disruptive, it feels quite natural to me. Rather than overthinking or labelling something as “change”, I prefer to focus on solving problems and improving the way things work. For me, it’s really about staying practical and just getting on with it.

One piece of advice for women wanting to achieve senior leadership?
I’d say confidence and professionalism are essential. Keep investing in your skills and experience, and never stop learning. And when opportunities come your way, be brave, believe in yourself, and go for them.