From the vineyards of France to the business of mobility: Candice Turner's career journey
In the world of career choices, sometimes the most unexpected paths can lead to fulfilling and impactful roles.
This was the case for Candice Turner, now Enterprise Mobility’s Head of Public Sector for the Northwest England. As a student, she had planned to become a soil scientist working with winemakers in France.
But once she had graduated and considered her options, she opted to begin by getting business management experience and joined Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a Management Trainee in 2005.
She is now part of a team that helps to advise local authorities and government agencies on how to improve how they deliver mobility to their communities and employees.
“It was definitely a big career change,” Candice said. “Part of my dream had been to make great wines working as a soil scientist, improving soils in French vineyards.
“But I also wanted a fast-paced, dynamic career and the opportunity to work with a great team. I joined Enterprise, and since then, I’ve never looked back.”
Candice launching a new Enterprise Car Club location in Prestwich with Bury Councillor Allan Quinn
"I wanted a fast-paced, dynamic career and the opportunity to work with a great team"
Thirteen years later, Candice’s decision to work for Enterprise has led to a series of promotions, from Branch Manager to Area Manager for two different regions in the Northwest, to her current role leading Public Sector in the Northwest.
Candice became more involved in Enterprise Car Club when she came back from maternity leave after the birth of her son.
“It was a very exciting time as our car club division was experiencing rapid growth,” Candice said. “I wanted to be a part of that, and I felt I could bring everything I’d learned at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to help customers in a different way.”
Candice became part of a team that helped to grow Enterprise Car Club at a time when the car club concept was very much in its infancy.
Within two years, it had became evident that the public sector was a key partner in advancing mobility and that there was real scope to make an even bigger impact on community travel.
“I felt that if we focused our experience and insights into a specialised function for the public sector we could help make a real difference, and I wanted to be part of making that work,” Candice said.
“It’s been a really interesting journey and no two days are alike,” she continues. “There is continuous motivation and new challenges, from thinking about grey fleet migration to reducing CO2 emissions and ensuring fleet compliance to meet our customers’ needs. Every day, we bring a different set of skills to the table.”
"There is continuous motivation and new challenges"
Candice is always motivated when there is the opportunity to make a visible social impact, by collaborating with public sector customers to deliver projects that support everyone in the community.
One example is a local authority where Enterprise Mobility is delivering mentoring, workshops and workplace experiences with local schools as well as providing the car club.
“Social value is becoming more important in every organisation that we work with,” Candice explains. “Making community mobility better is a way that we can contribute to a more diverse and equitable society. Car clubs can make a real social impact, influencing the way people travel, improving public transport networks, and promoting active ways of travelling like walking and cycling.”
Balancing a full-time career with parenthood is undoubtedly a challenge, but Candice actively addresses it by working with her manager to optimise her time while being flexible when she needs to be.
“Transportation is evolving rapidly,” Candice concludes. “It’s exciting to think that my day-to-day work can play a part in delivering better options for communities, today and tomorrow. It may not have been the career choice I initially planned, but it’s so much better. I genuinely believe that my work is making a positive impact on society.”
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise Mobility, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk or careers.enterprise.ie.
