Meet Vanessa Hinsley
Commercial Analyst
Vanessa’s career journey demonstrates how diverse experiences and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to an unexpected and rewarding career.
Starting out in retail, Vanessa built a strong foundation in customer service before progressing into management roles. She later joined AGL, where she handled customer complaints and developed valuable skills in problem-solving, communication, and understanding customer needs.
Her move into the automotive industry came when she joined LeasePlan as a Customer Service Officer. Since then, Vanessa has continued to grow her career, taking on new challenges and progressing into a Relationship Manager role before moving into her current position. While it wasn’t the path she originally envisioned, each role has provided new experiences, skills, and opportunities for growth.
Vanessa’s journey is a testament to the value of adaptability, curiosity, and a positive mindset when navigating an evolving career.
Discover how Vanessa’s openness and outlook to an adapting career path have shaped her professional growth and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
A little bit about Vanessa and her career journey
What inspired you to pursue your career journey at SG Fleet?
For me, it's been a combination of the people, the opportunities, and the constant change. I've been lucky to have some great mentors throughout my career who have challenged me, supported me, and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.
I've always been someone who likes to stay busy and keep learning, so being in an environment where there's always a new challenge to tackle has kept me engaged. I've also always been customer-focused, and a lot of the opportunities I've taken on have allowed me to make improvements that create better outcomes for both customers and the business.
What has kept me motivated is knowing that if you're willing to learn, adapt, and contribute, there are opportunities to grow and make a real impact.
How would you describe your leadership/management style in three words?
Supportive. Collaborative. Customer-focused.
What key leadership experience has defined the way you lead?
I think working my way up through different roles has been the most defining leadership experience for me. Starting in frontline customer service taught me the importance of listening, understanding different perspectives, and treating people with respect. As I progressed through different roles, I learned that the best leaders are approachable, support their teams, and aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and help when needed. That's a style I've tried to carry with me throughout my career.
What advice would you give your younger self who is starting out their career?
I'd tell my younger self to be patient and trust the process. When I started out in retail, I certainly didn't have a long-term career plan mapped out, and if you'd told me where I'd end up, I probably wouldn't have believed you. Every role taught me something valuable, even when I couldn't see it at the time. Focus on doing the job in front of you well, building relationships, and staying open to opportunities because you never know where they'll lead.
Vanessa’s involvement with the Women’s Network
What excites you the most about SGWN?
What excites me most about SGWN is the opportunity to help people think bigger about their career. Mine certainly hasn’t followed the path I expected, and some of the best opportunities came from experiences I hadn’t planned for. I love the idea of the network giving people exposure to different career journeys and perspectives, so they can see what’s possible and maybe discover opportunities they hadn’t considered before.
What does the women’s network mean to you personally and professionally?
Personally, the Women’s Network is about feeling connected to a community of people who support and encourage each other. Throughout my career, I've benefited from listening to other people’s experiences and learning from different perspectives. Professionally, it’s a chance to build relationships across the business, share ideas, and learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences. Often it’s those connections and conversations that help you grow the most.
Looking ahead
What are your key priorities for SGWN in FY27?
My priority for FY27 is to help people gain great visibility of the opportunities available to them across the business. Looking at my own career, some of the most rewarding roles I’ve taken on weren’t part of the long-term plan. They came from being exposed to different parts of the organisation and being willing to try something new. Through SGWN, I'd like to create opportunities for people to hear different career stories, gain new perspectives, and broaden their understanding of what’s possible. If we can help people connect their ambition with opportunities they may not have previously considered, then we’ll be truly bringing the ELEVATE theme to life.
What is a topic you’re particularly passionate about sharing in SGWN?
One topic I'm passionate about is helping people recognise opportunities for growth, even when they don’t feel completely ready for them. Looking back on my own career, some of the biggest steps I took were into roles or challenges that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I’d love SGWN to encourage conversations around building confidence, backing yourself, and being open to new experiences, because growth often happens when we’re willing to take that chance on ourselves.
How would you align the network goals with the company's diversity, equity & inclusion objectives?
For me, it's about creating opportunities for people to learn from each other, build connections, and gain exposure to different perspectives. That aligns closely with the ELEVATE theme of connecting ambition with opportunity. Not everyone has the same experiences or access to the same networks, so SGWN can play an important role in helping people broaden their connections, learn from others, and discover new possibilities for growth. By creating an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable contributing and sharing their experiences, we can help support a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to reach their potential.