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Name: Shane Coomber, Leasys UK
Role: Managing Director
How long in the role? 2 months; 30 years at Stellantis Group
Current drive: Peugeot 408
What was your route into work?
FROM school I took a short college course to learn some office skills and then I went straight into work. I was also new to the UK at that point, having moved from South Africa, and that took some adjustment!
My first role was sales support and finance advisor for Lombard Motor Finance on a fixed term contract. I liked the idea of starting in an administrative position and I’ve been in automotive ever since – to be honest it was just luck that I ended up in the sector. Over the years, I’ve always stayed within the fleet and business-to-business space, which I really enjoy.
What has been your career journey?
Five years after I started the Lombard branch role, the head office opened, and I took an underwriting role for executive cars. I really remember just how pivotal leasing brokers were even back then.
A couple of years later I was involved with a joint bank venture with Peugeot Citroen, and I’ve been with Stellantis ever since – in fact, I’ve just celebrated 30 years with the group. I’ve had various roles over that time, including dealer services, funding, and customer services. Customer service was the most challenging but also one of the most enjoyable roles – no day was ever the same in two years.
Along the way I’ve taken several secondment and maternity cover positions which I’ve found so useful, and I would really recommend. Those kinds of roles give you a 12-month injection into a different business area which helps you get a feeling for what you enjoy.
From 2016, I was involved in the launch of Free2Move Lease, a joint Stellantis and bank venture. I was Operations Director and then Commercial Director with a strong sales focus, which I loved. And finally, two years ago, the new Leasys was born from the consolidation of Leasys and Free2Move Lease, and I took on the role of Marketing Director for the UK market.
What does a typical day look like as Leasys UK’s Managing Director?
My week is very varied. Clearly, I’m still new to the MD position but the key things for me are making sure I understand the breadth of the business. Currently I’m delving into areas I know less well to understand their pain points and what success looks like, then we can work out what levers to pull to optimise each area.
It’s important to me to really get to know the team, understand people’s challenges and what makes them tick. I’m also starting to meet key suppliers and customers to understand their perception of Leasys and where we might be able to improve.
How do you find working in the automotive sector and how has it evolved in the last 30 years?
Over the last couple of years, I feel that we have seen significant change for the first time, due to electrification and technology. The digital journey has always been there, but it is now moving forwards at a pace I’ve never seen before. It’s an area where brokers have always been clever, and given how critical technology is to success, it’s a real priority for Leasys, too.
How have you found being female in the automotive industry?
Overall, I’ve found the industry has been very welcoming of me as a woman, and I haven’t experienced any negativity.
"I do feel fortunate to have had strong leaders over the years who have challenged me to push my boundaries and as women, sometimes we worry too much about what we haven’t done and don’t necessarily see our strengths or shout about them. I do think you have to push yourself if you want to succeed, but that is the same for any industry".
How have you found the work life balance as you have progressed through your career?
It can be hard to balance family and work. My advice is that you can always make time for both – don’t lose sight of family time over your career. If you manage your time, there is no reason why you can’t achieve success – I’m a busy mum with four children and you learn to be very organised.
I also think that Covid made everyone have a reality check about what’s important. I always give everything to my role, but it is important to know that it is ok to have a work life balance.
What are the best things about working in automotive?
I’ve loved every minute of being in the industry, it’s wonderful. The people are great, and you really get to know them.
I also enjoy the variety of automotive, there is always something new. The sheer scale means that you can do most jobs within our industry, it’s not just about garages or technology, although there are opportunities there too.
Automotive is always evolving – we’re currently changing from a focus on the car to a mobility experience and that comes with new opportunities – services, products, telematics and tech on a huge scale.
Shane Coomber and the Women of Stellantis programme
The Women in Stellantis programme is a global initiative, and Shane led the UK region in her previous role as Marketing Director. Those involved in the programme volunteer their time to find ways to provide support with issues that impact women – including targeted initiatives on confidence building and resilience. The programme champions diversity and inclusion.
Shane is passionate about increasing female representation in automotive and says that it is key that everything is open to women. Whilst there is now good female representation in certain areas, such as Marketing Directors, other fields – like sales, can still lack diversity. Shane explains the importance of starting the conversation early:
“We’ve been going into schools to talk about the automotive industry and raise awareness. It’s vital to get to people when they’re younger so they understand that the industry is open to them, and it represents a massive opportunity. Automotive is a career that can take you throughout your whole life.”
What advice do you have for women looking to enter the industry?
Believe in yourself and push the boundaries. One of my leaders taught me that you are your biggest blocker, it’s so important to focus on what you want to achieve and believe you can do it.
And finally, what’s your car history?
I love cars, I’d describe myself as a car fanatic. I enjoy a nice sounding engine and getting the most out of a car! I’ve obviously driven electric cars too – the speed and the technology are incredible. The Peugeot line-up has always been a favourite of mine and my current 408 is fantastic.
About Leasys
Leasys, a joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, offers mobility solutions which range from medium and long-term rentals to management systems for company fleets, guaranteeing efficient, rational, safe and sustainable mobility. Created out of the merging of two leading companies in the sector, Leasys and Free2Move Lease, the new company has established itself as a pioneer of the new idea of fluid, integrated and global mobility designed for individuals, professionals and companies of all sizes. Leasys boasts of a managed fleet of 906,000 vehicles which is already operational in 11 European countries: Italy, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Luxembourg and Austria.
Leasys UK is also the category partner for the Best Mid-Size Broker award for the Broker News Awards 2025
More on our Women in Broking series supported by
Women in Broking is our regular series of features highlighting some of the great women who are so influential in the leasing broker sector – a sector that has been male dominated for too long. The series celebrates the Women in Broking – both those working in brokerages and those working with the broker channel – and hopes to encourage more women to have a successful career in the leasing broker market. If you would like to take part in this series please contact Laura.Lerwill@mortonmedia.co.uk
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Laura is a writer and Head of Marketing for Broker News, with extensive automotive experience from senior marketing roles with RBS/Nat West, Lombard Vehicle Management and Unipart. She is also a self-confessed petrol-head.
