How Alpha Contracts’ Alex Bates got the bug for broking

What’s it like working at Alpha Contracts?

I’m incredibly fortunate to love what I do — and the more I do it, the more passionate I become. While I thrive on the excitement of the sale, my favourite part is the delivery. There’s nothing better than hearing customers say we’ve made the process smooth and straightforward for them.

Being part of a smaller business means I get involved throughout the whole process – from enquiry to delivery and renewal. I really get to know our customers and I’ve been here so long that I’m now helping customers with their sixth car – plus cars for their children and grandchildren, it’s great!

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside four strong, inspiring women at Alpha — Lynette, Sam, Justine, and Rowena. I’ve learned so much from each of them, and we often joke that I’m a hybrid of all four!

And how do you find working with family?

I am very lucky as I work very well with Lynette, we have a lot of fun! It can be good cop bad cop and she sometimes says she has to rein me in as I go off at 100 miles an hour. Of course, getting a balance between work and home life can be tricky – we’ll find ourselves discussing deals on a Sunday evening but overall, it works really well.

Logistically it’s very easy because, as of last February, we’ve been working in our new purpose-built office which has significantly reduced my commute to work. I also keep my horses on site and that’s sparked a new venture as we have set up our own stud and welcomed our first foal last month!

Life is pretty busy, I work full time – and some – plus I have two children under the age of five. And, for the last decade, I part-owned and ran a CrossFit gym (above) where I competed in CrossFit and Power Lifting across the UK and Europe. I am looking forward to competing in my first Hyrox fitness racing event later this year too!

How do you find working in the automotive sector?

The industry is constantly changing – new deals, new manufacturers, new funders, government changes – it’s impossible to get bored. You never quite know what will happen next, which will keep you on your toes!

I’m very lucky to work alongside people who are passionate about the industry who also love what they do.

Do you feel that automotive is attractive to women?

Yes, but I can understand why some women might be put off. It’s good to see more women in higher positions at the funders and leasing companies but I would also like to see more female salespeople. But, I do believe it should always come down to being the right person for the right job.

Despite a generally positive experience, I have encountered occasional prejudice. As I’m known as Alex, sometimes customers expect to speak to a man. Once a customer refused to deal with me because I was female and insisted on speaking to a director – so I very happily passed him to Lynette…he was not pleased she was also female! On the flip side, many of our customers really like the fact that we are a female-led business and find it refreshing.

What advice do you have for women looking to enter the industry?

The motor industry is a fantastic field, filled with passionate and talented people. Having an interest in cars or finance can certainly be an advantage, but as with any career, the key is enjoying what you do. Even on the rare tough days, I still genuinely love my job.

Don’t be afraid to work your way up. From early in my career, I was instilled with the belief that you should always aim to be the hardest worker in the room and never shy away from asking questions — because that’s how real learning and growth happen

Do you plan to stay in automotive?

Absolutely — I enjoy it far too much to consider anything else! Over the past six months, my role has evolved slightly, giving me the opportunity to attend more conferences and industry events. It’s been a great experience connecting with others in the field and putting faces to names.