In the Driving Seat: Amanda Holmes, Northwest Automotive Alliance
When Amanda isn’t on NAA duty she can be found jogging/cycling around Vale of Llangollen and Dee Valley and dreaming about “how to get back onto the stage”!
Name
Amanda Holmes
Company
Northwest Automotive Alliance (Business Excellence Programme/and NAA project support)
Position
Project Support Manager
Apart from that
After a creative start in life and FE gaining a HND in Illustration, completing level 7 vocal exams (yes a trained Mezzo Soprano), and level 5 in the Tenor Horn, Amanda forged a solid career spanning over 12 years in the recruitment sector working with clients throughout the general manufacturing, engineering and commercial sectors – finally settling in the automotive recruitment market in 2011. This developed an even stronger appreciation of gaps in skill sets and the need for up-skilling and empowerment of workforces throughout the sector to support supply chain demand and the need for continuous improvement. Amanda finally left this sector and joined an organisational development and bespoke training organisation – again with a focus on pre-employment and consolidation training and LEAN foundation implementation in the automotive sector. Amanda is Prince2 qualified but always looking to improve her skills to support the goals of NAA and its members.
Association with NAA
In her Gearshift Divisional Manager role (for a well known national recruitment firm), Amanda first created an association with the NAA and a number of North West based automotive supply chain manufacturers which she developed further in her last role with Stratum Learning due to their links with the automotive sector from an OD and training point of view. Now very proud to be part of the NAA team supporting the Automotive Supply chain throughout the North West through the Business Excellence programme and associated projects.
Personal
Got married to James on the 28 September 2013 after 7 years together. Proud parent to Phoebe aged 5 – a “chip off the old block” to say the least. A keen performer having spent 7 years performing with a North Wales based band some years ago – but still a mean karaoke performer (eager to return to the stage in personal time at some point whether classical or rock biased – time permitting). Having spent 12 years being based in the Midlands, very happy to have returned to the North Wales area. Loves cookery programmes – Hairy Bikers; Great British Bake off etc…
Favourite football team
Hmmm, I guess I will have to say Wrexham FC but also keep an eye on Wolves’ progress due to other half’s team preference!
Musical performer
Wow – so many to choose from as got a very eclectic taste in music!! From Stereophonics to Elbow and The Foo Fighters to Trinity (classical)… sorry I can’t choose just one!
Movie
Quentin Tarantino’s Romeo and Juliet
Books
The Twilight Saga – Stephanie Meyer and anything by Freya North
Best motoring moment
Driving Honda Pilot Buggies on a track and being told our team were “the craziest and fastest female drivers they’d ever seen”… I’m sure I’ll have more moments to choose from in the coming years!
Best business advice you’ve ever received?
Believe in my own capabilities and stay positive
