Meet the Team: Jacqueline Vincent, Finance Director

This month we meet the newest member of the Board at Mercedes-Benz South West, Jacqueline Vincent. Jacqueline joins the team as our new Finance Director Tell us a bit about yourself Jacqueline: An experienced Finance Director, who has worked the last 20 years mainly on long-term complex engineering (aerospace or construction) projects and prior to that in mixed industries, including the wine sector and also a short spell in the motor trade. An operational and commercial leader too, so a safe pair of hands and good all-rounder! Where are you from? Dorset then I moved across the border to Somerset and am now considering another border move to Devon. My father is from Somerset and my mother from Heidelberg in Germany, so I am half-German (can you not tell?) How long have you been working at Mercedes-Benz South West? I joined on the 12^th April – I am now in week 5 as I write this. Favourite Mercedes-Benz model? (old or new) AMG GT Roadster (I am hoping the boss might let me have a spin in one at some point) Most memorable day at work you’ve ever had? There have been a few but the most special to me was some glowing feedback from the MoD about my contribution and work over a couple of years on a major helicopter bid. They bothered to put this in writing to my CEO, which was very unusual and I see that helicopter fly above me daily so I still feel proud of that achievement. Favourite part of the job? Making a difference. What’s your favourite animal? Do you have any pets? Horses and cats – the current count is 6 horses and 1 pony, 7 sheep, 2 farm cats and 3 house cats. We are lucky enough to have a small farm and over the years, I have become quite proficient at lambing, foaling and even calving for another farmer in an emergency, nothing like seeing a new life entering the world. Other people have dogs as a faithful friend but at our farm I have a sheep called Half Pint who follows me around because I bottle fed him as a lamb. Best holiday you’ve ever been on? I love Greece and have had some lovely trips to various islands but I think it has to be a cruise to the Far East.  I hated being on a cruise ship but I loved seeing as much of the far East as we were able to during that trip. The Phi Phi Islands in Thailand were incredible! How many attempts did it take you to pass your driving test? Passed first time. Which radio station are you listening to when you drive? A mixture – depending upon signal – currently the Radio 2 ladies Sarah Cox and Zoe Ball and a bit of Heart FM, I need something upbeat to keep me alert. I could however listen to Graham Norton all day long though if that was possible, his laughter is infectious. Favourite place to visit in the South West? The Dorset coast from Swanage to Lyme Regis and I have a soft spot for Beer – so quaint. Favourite Film? The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford. Favourite Band/Artist? Mumford and Sons and Coldplay – cannot choose between them. First concert you ever went to? I could not possibly tell as that would give away my age – you will have to guess … KC&TC, not my scene and not really sure how I was persuaded to go Tipple of choice? I do like a stout but you cannot go wrong with a G & T, or a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or an Australian Shiraz. I did learn a few tips on wine when working for a wine merchant many moons ago, who had wine tasting every day at work with the Masters of Wine, Beaujolais breakfasts made the day a bit interesting! The Peterson (Australian Hunter Valley) Back Block Shiraz is simply the best wine I have ever tasted – if anyone knows where I can get some please let me know. The Australians do not usually ship this one out of the country. What would be your Karaoke song? Hmmm – I think about music differently, more is it a good tune with a good tempo to ride my horse to rather than sing along to, in which case it is The Killers The Man. If the world ends tomorrow, what would you choose as your last meal? My husband’s homemade lasagne. What’s at the top of your bucket list? Spending time in Southern Germany at Lake Constance, where my mother grew up during the war – beautiful scenery and a bit of retracing my family roots in Germany. What are you most looking forward to this year? Hugging family and friends, barbeques, visits to the seaside this summer and a trip to Germany in November to catch up with friends and to watch the very special Oldenburg stallion show. Finally… Jam then cream, or cream then jam? Cream then jam of course.