Congratulations to Ursula Wingfield, CFO of BMW Financial Services GB, Our October Member of the Month!

on October 22, 2024

Can you tell us a little about you, your background, and how you got started in the automotive industry?
I was born in South Africa and had German nationality from my father. I grew up in Port Elizabeth, where my father worked for several different motor manufacturers over the years, so I suppose I have had the motor industry in my blood for a long time. I qualified as a chartered account in 1992. After completing my articles, I joined BMW in South Africa. I have now worked for the BMW Group in four countries totalling almost 32 years. I have been married to my husband for 27 years and have a 22-year-old daughter.
What is your current role, and what are your primary responsibilities within your organisation?
I am the Chief Financial Officer for BMW Financial Services (GB), Alphabet (GB) and for BMW Financial Services Ireland (DAC). My primary responsibilities are financial planning and steering, ensuring a robust and sound accounting function, management of large credits, the treasury functions, to ensure we are efficiently funded, data management and management information, including machine learning models and AI applications. I love to be actively involved in all the key decisions which drive the future of the company.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership positions in the automotive industry?
Don’t create your own limitations by having doubts about your abilities and don’t limit yourself out of fear or lack of confidence. You can achieve what you set out to do, but you must believe in yourself as a good starting point; there are enough other hurdles to overcome, so this is one you have control over. When working in a large international corporate, having a good network across the organisation is vital. Often it is more about “who” you know than “what” you know.
How important is having a support system, and who are the people in your support network?
It is vital to have a good support system. As a working mother, who also travelled a lot, having an understanding and supporting husband was very important. My husband went to all the school teas, the sport days, the parent/teacher conferences. Without his support, my career would have worked out differently. I also had an influential and experienced mentor (senior executive at BMW) who assisted me with my career development, and this is key to supporting you along your career path, especially when you work in a large corporate company.
What initiatives or programs within your company have been particularly effective in supporting women in mid-management?
We don’t have any specific programs that are aimed only at women, but we do offer a wide range of excellent training, and leadership development programs which are available to everyone.
How do you support and empower other women in your organisation to achieve their career goals?
I try as much as possible to assist women in understanding the value they bring to the company and to encourage them to seize opportunities. Not everyone wants a big career - that is everyone’s personal decision - but I am always delighted to help others to navigate the hurdles of corporate life and share my own personal experience, as a mother and a senior executive. I’m a big fan of the diversity of thought and the leadership skills that women bring to discussions and the team. I believe diversity of all kinds is a great strength. It’s not a gender thing for me, I like my own ideas to be challenged and considering issues from another point of view.
What’s a quote that has inspired you?
I have so many; well, more sayings than quotes…. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” (African saying when faced with an insurmountable problem or challenge). Break it down into manageable pieces and work through it.
How do you unwind after a busy day?
I love to cook and enjoy a glass of wine while doing that. My poor family are the guinea pigs of my surprise dinners!

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Congratulations to Ursula Wingfield, CFO of BMW Financial Services GB, Our October Member of the Month!

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