In our How She Does It column, we talk to inspirational mothers about work-life balance, their favourite travel destinations, travelling with children, and how they really do it all. This month, we sat down with Nicole Melillo Shaw, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK.
As a mother-of-two Nicole balances family life with a thriving career as a female leader in an often male-dominated industry. Here she opens up about the power of true partnership with her husband, her journey from healthcare to the motor industry, and how embracing difference and speaking up has helped shape her success, as well as sharing her go-to strategies for juggling it all, her favourite holiday destination and the travel essentials she can’t live without.
In Partnership with Volvo Cars UK
How do you juggle being MD of a company with family life?
It’s not easy, but the foundational support from my husband is how I do it – and the fact he has chosen to back me. We made a clear decision early on that whilst we both have high powered roles, he would support my career growth. That clarity removes a lot of stress, there’s no blurred lines over whose meeting matters more. And it’s emotional too. He’s incredibly supportive, cheering me on and sending good luck messages before big meetings, or when I’m doubting myself. Because there are days where you do doubt yourself, and he doesn’t allow me to. Essentially, how it works is him. Plus, the sprinkling of support from family. I do sit back and love the fact that I haven’t had to compromise a career because of children. Yes, biologically I’ve had them, but we’ve had them together, and therefore we’ve made decisions around that.
Also, internally at Volvo, I’ve found the people that I can connect with. Being authentic is so important to me. I think it drives the right outcomes, when you don’t have to filter, it leads to trust and authenticity.
Tell us about your career journey.
I started out in healthcare, that was my first job after university – mainly due to proximity of where I lived at the time – but I learned a lot. When I moved to Reckitt Benckiser, I decided I wanted to work on consumer brands that people actually recognised. E45 was a great bridge from dermatology into mainstream consumer health, and it really taught me how to connect with both the brands and consumers. It was an intense but brilliant environment that encouraged speaking up and pushing back, which helped me grow quickly.
From there, I moved to GSK, doing a similar thing but on a global scale – more travel, immersion into different cultures and diverse markets and those insights really interested me. It really gave me a platform and taught me a lot about commercial accountability and strategic breadth.
When the role moved to Switzerland, I knew it was time for a change. I’ve always been open to new challenges, so I cast the net wide – and that’s when Volvo came up. I joined as Consumer Director, helped build the direct model, and later became Commercial Director – an unconventional move in a very traditional space, in that commercial directors have always been the nuts and bolts of running the automotive machine and by the time I was promoted to MD, it was four and a half years since joining the industry.
What inspires you in your career?
I’m inspired by people who ask for what they want and I do have a slight bias for people who’ve had humble beginnings, because I can identify with it. I was born and raised in Scunthorpe, we didn’t have a lot of money and I was brought up by a very strong mum who had probably not tried at school as much as she should have. She really made sure that her daughter did the opposite and also that I learned the value of money – or more importantly, not having money. I’m not motivated by money, but I am very much aware of the jeopardy of not having it, and not wanting to be in this conversation around survival continually.
Also, because I was an older child by quite some way, I developed a strong gut instinct and learnt how to be self-reliant and to trust myself from an early age. It took me a while to meet my husband, so although now he’s the one I lean on now, I learned to trust myself long before I met him.
What’s it like being a woman in a typically male-dominated industry?
The people who recruited me in the UK were actively seeking difference. So that, for me, meant that I’ve always had an anchor point of why I’m here – as well as my own decision to be here. I think if you’re pushing against the grain every day, it’s going to be pretty tough, but if you’ve got a champion who’s like, “yep, we’re going in different directions, so we need difference” and constantly reaffirming that, it means that you don’t have to think about it too much. It’s about finding your people.
Also, don’t assume that people are thinking about you all the time. Just do the job, do it well, and let your work speak for itself. Ultimately, the results cut through all of that, because that’s what everyone buys into. The car sales are the real marker – not gender.
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They champion women. This is deep rooted in Swedish culture and equality is a given. There are no perceptions that children slow anything down and, really importantly, there’s no attachment for that being a female. Parental leave isn’t gendered and is again very much equal. You could easily, in their eyes, have a baby and then come straight back to work in a month because the other parent can do it. What’s really great is that paternity can also be split and used flexibly, which supports families and career planning.
At Volvo, we embrace our human centric culture. I don’t micro manage. If people want to drop their children off to school, I’d rather people do that. Personally, I choose what I’m prepared to miss out on. Coffee mornings, etc I don’t mind missing, but sports day, Christmas nativity, or the girls’ shows, I will be there for. I don’t think we need to have a conversation around if someone’s going to do that. Just like I don’t ask people if they’re going to the dentist. If you’re empowered, and you’re working hard, then all of that stuff doesn’t matter. There’s also a lot of flexibility with Volvo’s 15 days’ ‘work-from-anywhere’ policy. Being able to work remotely from anywhere in the world is a huge help – especially for families juggling school holidays.
The three things that help you juggle everything?
The first is the ‘Notes’ app on the iPhone, along with the tick box emoji. I love that because it helps me in the moment. I’ve always got my phone on me, so I can quickly brainstorm the things I need to do. I just came back from a trip and I had about 40 minutes to get ready and repack. I listed everything I needed in notes while I was travelling, so I could be as quick as possible – it makes me more efficient.
Again, definitely husband/partnership. That’s a crucial one.
And also, the girls. Bringing our two daughters into the conversation helps us juggle. I talk to them both about work, and will often sit and talk to our eldest about what I’m doing, so that they have a better understanding. My youngest will ask “are you going to the hotel again?”. It sounds sinister (laughs!), but she understands what that means and that I come back. I know when I speak to her, she’s got it compartmentalized in her head that’s what I’m doing. Then I can really immerse myself in what I’m doing in the moment.
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mum?
In a way I have become even more ambitious! Having had two really positive maternity leaves, I’ve always come back to a supportive environment where nothing has held me back from pushing in a career direction that I’m passionate about. Now our family is complete, I feel like the opportunities are even more abundant as there’s both my husband and I looking after our girls, rather than the physical reliance that was on me to both carry and feed our girls in the early years.
If you had the power to change one thing for working mothers, what would it be?
That they were able to give themselves a break and recognize the huge life changing moment that they had experienced. So many women feel the pressure to return to work, not only exactly as their former selves, but ironically even better! Better doesn’t mean always being 100% available. Rather it means being efficient, honest and able to focus on fewer, bigger, better.
If you have a day to yourself, what do you do?
Gym and a massage, and then a good catch up with my best friend.
Tell us about the best holiday you’ve taken with your children?
We have recently been to the Ikos Porto Petro resort in Mallorca which was fantastic! Described as ‘ultra all inclusive’ it was exactly that. It had everything for everyone – which meant we had time as a family, couple and individuals. We are going to try out Ikos Dassia in Corfu in the summer.
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Favourite hotel ever – with or without children?
If we have time together without the children, we love Whatley Manor – their tasting menu is fantastic!
What are your tips on things to do with children in London?
Always have a plan! Although I have lived in London, I still find it slightly overwhelming if you don’t know where you’re going. That’s even more important when you have little ones, because you always need to know when the next food stop will be!
Travel essentials with kids?
We bought these incredible travel trays which have colouring pens and puzzles inside, as well as doubling up as an iPad holder. Essentially they strap around the child’s waist and then they have everything on their lap, and it doesn’t roll off on the flight or car.
Travel essentials without kids?
More clothes, shoes and a steamer!
How do you think travel benefits your children?
It gives us time together but also is a good explanation of what Mummy and Daddy’s job supports us being able to do. As a routine-oriented Mum, holidays are always good to also give us some flexibility and time to relax out of the everyday.
Any top tips for travelling with kids?
I take a whole carry-on case of snacks and new games or magazines and space it out throughout the travel time. And of course, iPads! We don’t always go far, especially when they were little, children are happy as long as they are with you. Certain phases are harder than others so no need to add travel stress.
The best advice you would give to other mothers?
Having children is incredible and I am hugely grateful for our daughters every day, but that doesn’t mean you should expect to enjoy every minute. Honesty is key so here’s my truth! Bath time is hard after a full day at work when everyone is tired! Give yourself a break and I find if you are honest you can laugh about it! (And also my husband loves doing bathtime which is another reason I’m grateful for him!)
Are there any women who inspire you?
So many! Inspiration for me is people who motivate me to think differently. My best friend has a completely different job to mine, as a social worker. How she sees and gives back to the world inspires me to be a better person. Also, in the public eye I love Emma Grede as she is so clear on what she wants and gritty!
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How do you do it?
The honest answer is ‘I’ don’t! My incredible husband who is my biggest supporter and therefore enabler for our set up, is fundamental to everything. My Mum who will travel a long way to help with our girls. My assistant at Volvo who catches everything I drop (and beyond!) and also our little girls who wish me luck and cheer me on which pushes me to do even more. Fundamentally behind it all, is a huge passion for what I do. Importantly, I’m clear on the ‘why’ which helps enormously.
Photo credit: Liam Arthur / stillmoving.net
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Any Questions or Tips to add?