Celebrating International Women's Day at SG Fleet

 

International Women’s Day is a great time to recognise the many talented women at SG Fleet and the perspectives, experiences and leadership they bring to the table every day. 


To mark the occasion this year, we asked SG Fleet's very own Laura McLaren (Chief Legal Officer), Michelle Thomas (Chief Innovation and Product Officer) and Lindsay Underwood (Chief People and Culture Officer) for their insights, including lessons they've learned throughout their career and leadership advice they’d give to others. 

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Laura McLaren

Chief Legal Officer

Laura joined SG Fleet in 2017 and is a pivotal member of our executive team. She plays a key role in supporting the business across a wide range of strategic governance matters, working closely with teams across the organisation to help guide sound decision-making and manage risk. 

What’s a myth that people assume about women in leadership that you’d love to bust?  
There are a few pervasive, yet completely false, myths about women and their ability to successfully take on a leadership role. The one(s) that I’d most like to bust are those around women being too emotional, or unable to handle stress, and therefore not considered suitable for high pressure leadership roles. Research overwhelmingly shows that this is nonsense.  

If you could go back and have coffee with your 20-year-old self, what would you say?
Setbacks, rejections, missed opportunities and feedback present opportunities to grow and improve – take what’s useful and use it to achieve your goals the next time!  

It’s important to take time to consider honestly whether there is truth or merit to the feedback. If there is, then you have the opportunity to address it, or re-set your goals. Adopt an “assume the best” mindset and remember that most of the time, if someone is giving you feedback, it means that they see value in you and want to help you do better.  

What does confidence really mean to you now, compared to earlier in your career?  
I don’t know whether the meaning has changed over the course of my career, but over the years I have become more comfortable relying on my instincts.

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Michelle Thomas

Chief Innovation and Product Officer

Michelle joined SG Fleet in 2008 and has built a deep understanding of the business through roles spanning finance, operations, sales and marketing. She now leads innovation and product development, shaping new solutions that deliver value for our customers. 

What’s a quality you used to see as a weakness that’s now one of your biggest strengths?
Earlier in my career, I worried that relying on instinct and reading the nuances in a situation might be seen as subjective or hard to articulate. With experience, I’ve learned that those instincts are built from pattern recognition, deep context, and listening carefully to what’s not being said. Today, that ability to sense complexity and respond thoughtfully is one of my most valuable leadership strengths.  

What change would you still love to see in business over the next 5-10 years?  
I’d love to see flexibility and inclusion become default design principles, not special accommodations. When careers can flex with life stages, we unlock far more diverse leadership and long-term impact. That shift benefits not just women, but the health and performance of organisations overall.  

What does leadership look like to you when nobody’s watching?  
Leadership is how you act when there’s no spotlight or recognition attached. It’s making the hard but right calls, giving credit generously, and holding yourself to the same standards you expect of others. To me, real leadership shows up in consistency, integrity, and care – especially in the quiet moments. 

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Lindsay Underwood

Chief People and Culture Officer

Since joining SG Fleet in 2022, Lindsay has led the people and culture strategy across the organisation. With extensive experience across industries including fleet management, insurance, education and banking, she plays a key role in shaping the employee experience and supporting the growth of our teams at SG Fleet. 

What’s one thing you wish more workplaces understood about supporting women?  
For me there are four things: Respect, opportunity, flexibility and equality. When these four elements are embedded in a culture, organisations just don’t support women they create an environment for all to thrive.  

What’s something you consciously do to make the room feel more inclusive?  
I think it is important to actively create space for different voices. That can be done by asking open questions, inviting individual perspectives and providing a safe space for all to speak up. Psychological safety is very important to ensure people feel comfortable sharing ideas and voicing a different opinion.  

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever given to someone?  
See any challenge or adversity as an opportunity to learn something new, build a relationship or take a risk. By embracing challenges with a positive mindset, you will be able to grow and show what you can do. Also, your career is your own, it's up to you to make it what you want. Oh, and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Happy International Women's Day

A big thank you to Lindsay, Michelle and Laura for sharing their thoughts, and to all women across SG Fleet whose ideas, leadership and contributions help shape our culture every day.