Militants have hijacked feminism, says car chief

Militant groups have ‘hijacked’ feminism and put off some women fighting for equality, Britain’s top female motoring executive says.

Linda Jackson, who has been global chief executive of French car-maker Citroen for four years, said she was ‘living proof’ that women can reach the top on merit.

But women’s rights were being ‘blown off course’ by radical feminists, she added.

‘It stuns me when I hear some women claim they aren’t feminists because of how the term has been misused,’ said Mrs Jackson.

Britain’s top female motoring executive Linda Jackson (pictured) says militant groups have ‘hijacked’ feminism and put off some women fighting for equality

‘It has unfortunately garnered a militant edge with negative connotations which has hijacked the force for good and change that it should be.

‘We must avoid alienating areas of society with the way we approach these important issues. Those who shout loudest and most forcibly must not be allowed to forge their own path.

‘Feminism literally means the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes.

‘There’s a concern that the ultimate goal of equality is blown off course by a confusion over what feminism means.’

Born in Coventry, Mrs Jackson rose through the ranks after starting ‘stapling invoices’ as a teen in the Midlands motor industry.

Speaking at the Great British Women In The Car Industry awards at London’s Barbican Centre, she described how she has ‘ditched the macho culture’ in her own company – and urged other firms to follow suit.

Mrs Jackson (pictured), who has been global chief executive of French car-maker Citroen for four years, said she was 'living proof' that women can reach the top on merit

Mrs Jackson (pictured), who has been global chief executive of French car-maker Citroen for four years, said she was ‘living proof’ that women can reach the top on merit

She has introduced shorter meetings at more family-friendly times, ended the tradition of long-hours, and imposed a strict ‘no emails at weekends’ policy.

Mrs Jackson was named the most influential British woman in the global motor industry at the ceremony, organised by motoring magazine Autocar and backed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

She said: ‘I hope that stories like mine – a Coventry-born girl in charge of a 100-year-old iconic French brand – will help inspire others to dream big.

‘I hope too that careers like these become normality rather than anomaly in the not too distant future.

‘Everybody, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and nationality must be engaged in pushing for a fairer and more equal world otherwise nothing will ever change.’ 

Mrs Jackson also said that she limited meetings to 45 minutes. 

She added that she avoided meetings before 8am or after 6pm because she ‘believed that maintaining a work-life balance is so important to keeping a healthy mind’.

In the automotive sector, just 16 per cent of senior executives are women, said Mrs Jackson.

‘I was staggered to learn recently that apparently there are twice as many men called John as there are women leading FTSE 100 companies,’ she added.

 



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