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Your Aston Martin Mentors

Shifting Gears with Joe Diamond

How did you get into Formula One?  

I got into it by first watching F1 with my dad when I was 4-years-old. When I was at high school I decided that I wanted to be an F1 journalist, and eventually studied journalism at Sheffield Hallam. Through studying, gaining experience in both Public Relations and journalism and continuing to follow F1 as a fan, I eventually decided to pursue a career in motorsport PR/Comms, before eventually moving into partnership management with AMF1.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?  

Don’t ‘wish’ for it, work for it. Nothing comes easy and there are millions of people who want the same dream as you. So work hard, build your network, be receptive to advice/feedback and never stop working towards your dream.

 

What motivated you to become a mentor?  

I’ve been lucky enough to learn from a number of colleagues/friends I consider mentors in my career and know full well how beneficial they can be. If I can be even half as much of a support to someone else that my mentors were to me, then I’ll know I have had a positive influence on someone else’s career.


Shifting Gears with Natasha Wilkinson

How did you get into Formula One? 

Despite watching F1 with my Italian, Ferrari supporting Dad, My career in F1 started only a few years ago when I was headhunted to join the team as the Head of Recruitment. At that time we had around 400 employees and now, just over 2 years later, we have nearly 800!  Prior to this I worked for a large Finance recruitment agency for over 15 years and managed various teams of recruitment consultants.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

Don’t give up on your dreams. Always believe in yourself no matter how others may make you feel at times. Work hard , be kind and really take time to be grateful and enjoy all that you do. 

 

What motivated you to become a mentor?  

I feel honoured to be able to impart the advice and knowledge that I have learnt along the way from some very special people who have helped me be the person I am today.


Shifting Gears with Charlie Blackwall

How did you get into Formula One?  

I’ve been into motor racing all my life; I have vivid memories of watching the 1990 Monaco Grand Prix with my Dad in our living room and seeing Nigel Mansell wrestling his Ferrari around Monaco in 1990. I was hooked and promptly claimed I was going to be a racing driver. At school and university I was very lucky in that I knew what career I wanted, and that was to design racing cars and ultimately work in Formula 1.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?  

 Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something – If you focus your efforts, never give up, and be patient, you will succeed!

 

What motivated you to become a mentor?  

I’m incredibly lucky in that I have known what I’ve wanted to do and been able to follow a path to get there. I want to help people to find the path to achieve their goals and ambitions. There are plenty of people who are full of ambition, enthusiasm and potential but either don’t know where to start, or don’t have the support around them to make the steps towards their goals. I want to help them but also learn about the challenges that people face and the tough decisions they often have to make.


Shifting Gears with Debbie Wall

How did you get into Formula One?  

My career in F1 started at the British Grand Prix in 1989 when I was 18 and I was doing some summer work working in the hospitality suites at the race. This gave me the "F1 Bug" and I knew I wanted it to be my career after I finished studying at university.  

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?  

BELIEVE you can do it and you will succeed and have much more confidence to pick up the phone and asked for the opportunity to do some work experience and always follow your dream.  

 

What motivated you to become a mentor?  

I was lucky enough to have people who have offered to mentor me throughout my career and have helped me follow my dreams. Even today I have mentors who tell me straight, help me when I feel challenged and give me advice when I need it. It's now great that I can help other people in the same way. 


Shifting Gears with Kate Dalton

What are your interests outside of your work?

Outside of work, I enjoy a balanced mix of activities that keep life interesting. I'm passionate about outdoor exercise, finding peace in activities like running and hiking. Socialising with friends is essential for me, and I love exploring new places, both near and far, with a special interest in trying diverse cuisines. Above all, I'm all about having a good time, whether that's through outdoor adventures, travel, or simply enjoying great food and company.


Short Bio:

Kate Dalton is a seasoned brand and marketing expert. She currently serves as the Head of Brand and Marketing at the Aston Martin F1 team, where she successfully transformed the team's image from 'an F1 team' to Aston Martin F1 Team. Kate's notable achievements include pioneering partnerships like AMF1 x TikTok. Prior to her role at Aston Martin F1, she worked with renowned global consumer brands, specialising in retail and partnership marketing, brand strategy, and creative direction. Kate holds a master's and undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin, and has also studied at the London School of Economics (LSE). Her expertise in brand transformation and partnership marketing makes her a valuable asset in the industry.

Shift Gears with Robert Sattler

What are your interests outside of work?

I see my job in racing like a lifestyle. We are very fortunate can we can work on racing cars and travel around the world and because of that is isn't so hard to work more than the standard working hours and be away over weekends.


Short Bio:

Over 20 years of race & performance engineering in different series like DTM, Formula-e, WEC, GT3, Roborace and F1. Currently running the Evolution programme at Aston Martin F1 with the focus to develop the next generation of F1 stars. 

Shifting Gears with Michael Okeke

What are your interests outside of your work?

I'm a big football fan, love The Arsenal, which is the main sport I follow. Of course Formula 1 is up there as well, but I also enjoy following tennis and the NBA. In terms of playing sport, I like to do cycling, and go to the gym, I'm trying to build up my confidence to be able to play football, go running and play basketball after my knee injury, but working to get there! 


Short Bio:

I enjoy helping & being kind to people, making people's task, job, life easier where I can. I'm motivated to stay committed to tasks at hand, and never give up, although, I can always manage my time better 😅

Shifting Gears with Ben Fitzgerald

How did you get into Formula One? 

I’ve been a fan of Formula One since I was a small child, not much older than my son is now!  I studied Mechanical Engineering at University and progressed into F1 via the automotive route, and was able to realise by dream of working in Formula One in 2022 when I was approached about becoming the Operations Director at AMF1.


 


What advice would you give to your younger self?  

Firstly, don’t be afraid to ask for help, asking questions of others is such a powerful tool.  Secondly, be laser focused on what you want to achieve and do everything you can to make it happen.


What motivated you to become a mentor?  

Helping others really motivates me!  I want to support young people who were just like me when I was their age, and open up opportunities where I can.

Shifting Gears with Sioned Edwards

What do you do outside of your work?

I love spending time with my Partner and Dog going for long walks in the Cotswold country side.

Favourite thing to do is cook/bake new recipes(including the odd cocktail)

Whilst I dont play much sport I love to watch it my favourites being all kinds of Motorsport, NFL and Rugby.


Short Bio:

Sioned Edwards graduated the University of Southampton with a Master of Science. With her experience of data analytics, critical thinking and problem solving, she embarked on a career in business consultancy. Her experience spans multiple manufacturing sectors including Automotive, Food and Beverage, Aerospace and Defence. Her expertise leverages technology across customers’ technical, supply chain and manufacturing departments to drive business transformation. In 2021 she joined Aston Martin F1 to support and accelerate the team’s transformation to a world championship winning team; by improving data integrity, visibility and integrated ways of working.

Sioned has a passion for travel, having recently driven through Europe in a campervan. Most weekends she can be found cooking new recipes and enjoying the Cotswolds countryside with her dog, Bonnie 

Shifting Gears with Bruce Eddington

What are your interests outside of your work?

Classic Cars, maintenance, restoration, and driving tours

Classic motorsport

Theatre - musicals and comedies

Walking/Dog walking

Rowing


Short Bio:

My professional journey has been driven by a passion to deliver performance through quality designs adapted to the tight deadlines that Motorsport dictates. I've developed my career through understanding what is required through each stage of the design process and guiding others to strive for success.

I am proud of the advances that we have made in motorsport safety and the achievements we make each year ensuring our car exceeds the homologation requirements stipulated by our governing body the FIA.

My goal is to share my experiences and knowledge with my mentee, helping them set realistic and achievable goals whilst fostering their development in their own unique path.


Shifting Gears with Sosanna Ni Dhubhain

How did you get into Formula One?  

I have always loved F1 and at the age of 12 I wrote to all the teams asking them for a job! One of the replies was a very kind letter that set out all the different careers available. I then went on to study motorsport engineering at Cranfield University and was lucky enough to get my 1st job as junior composite design engineer at what was then Team Lotus and have worked in F1 ever since.


What advice would you give to your younger self?  

Take every opportunity available. Never doubt yourself and don’t let other people’s prejudices affect you or knock your confidence. Don’t do something because you think that is what you should do, do it because you want to do it.


What motivated you to become a mentor?  

I never had a mentor as such, but I have had the privilege to work with people who have supported me and encouraged me throughout my time in F1. For most of my career I have been the only female in the office, and I want to be able to show young people that you don’t have to be from a particular background to excel in F1. With the right attitude, environment, and encouragement anyone can achieve.

Shifting Gears with Mark Gray

What are your interests outside of your work?

I like animals, gardening, and paddle boarding.

From a sporting point of view anything with an engine and on wheels but at the sacrifice of knowing anything that involves a ball


Short bio:

I come from a tough upbringing where money was extremely tight and life was not always easy.

I found school hard and  mentally and physically.

I have always been very focused on things I enjoy and push myself to achieve the best I can.

I trained as a mechanic and worked hard to get into the motor racing world.

I have always pushed myself outside of my comfort zone to achieve the best I can within my work.

When I have had a knock back I like to prove people wrong and demonstrate to them that I can achieve what I want too and that i can better myself.


Connect With Me

Shifting Gears with Parveer Ramana

What are your interests outside of your work?

Outside of work, my interests include cooking, eating different cuisines (I go through phases of only eating one cuisine for months and months - my current phase is Lebanese but its mixed with a lot of Korean), travelling, farming, spirituality, meditation and learning my language - which I am really bad at speaking. 


I have extensive volunteering experience and was very active in this sphere at university (ran a veg box scheme which provided local, organic and plastic free veg to students and also supported the charity Shelterbox with organising a 280 mile non stop 3 day relay around the coast of Cornwall) and previous role where I implemented the project's social value strategy (based on National TOMS) by, co-ordinating a fortnightly skills training programme for the local unemployed and organising charity events, fundraising over £10,000.


Short Bio:

Hi! My name is Parveer! I would describe myself as approachable, easy-going and driven.  Currently, I am the Sustainability & Environment Lead at the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team. Previous to this, I was an Environmental Advisor at Taylor Woodrow. I studied Geography at the University of Exeter and was heavily involved with university societies - so I am on hand to answer any questions about maximising your university experience to benefit your career! I will be able to add lots of value to someone looking to pursue a career in sustainability. I can assist with CV reviews, interview prep, establishing work experience placements and shed light on the confusion surrounding making career choices so early in life. Outside of work, my interests include cooking, eating different cuisines (I go through phases of only eating one cuisine for months on end - I am currently into Lebanese and Korean food), travelling, farming and spirituality.


Shifting Gears With Daniel Underhill

The gears are in motion..

Shifting Gears With Michael Clayton

The gears are in motion..

Connect With Me

Shifting Gears With Simon Foster

The gears are in motion...

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