What do a mechanic, auto electrician, salesman and Managing Director have in common? Scott Maynard!

From swinging spanners in Tasmania to leading Polestar Australia and New Zealand, Scott’s career has taken a few turns — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this chat with Cameron Cresswell, Scott shares why he still reckons automotive is the best game in town, what keeps the industry interesting, and why being willing to change direction might be one of the best career moves you can make.

Oh, and there’s a Ferrari confession in there too. 🏎️

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Scott Maynard on the Automotive Talent Show.

#Automotive #AutomotiveIndustry #AutomotiveCareers #Polestar #AutomotiveTalent

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:

theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US

Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent

Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent

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Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:

Cameron Cresswell

linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:

Scott Maynard

linkedin.com/in/scott-maynard-02424827

linkedin.com/company/polestarcars/

00:28 Introduction to Scott and His Impact

00:28 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections

00:28 Introduction and Background of Scott Maynard

00:28 Introduction to the Guest's Journey

01:08 Transitioning to Polestar and the EV Revolution

04:24 Career Journey in the Automotive Industry

06:36 Understanding the Automotive Landscape

09:09 The Evolution of Polestar in Australia

11:31 The Shift Towards Electric Vehicles

14:10 Mainstream Acceptance of EVs

16:37 The Future of Automotive and Customer Expectations

20:18 The Evolving Relationship with Electric Vehicles

22:23 From Mechanic to Executive: A Journey Through the Industry

24:42 Future Trends in the Automotive Industry

28:11 The Role of Data in Modern Vehicles

30:33 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

30:58 Introduction to Scott and His Impact

31:16 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections

Sometimes the best career advice isn't about chasing the next opportunity—it's about making the most of the one you're already in.

Vaughan Blackman explains why the biggest opportunities in his career came from doing the job in front of him exceptionally well. From Australia to leading automotive businesses in the UK, he reflects on the importance of consistency, earning trust, developing great people, embracing change, and letting your work speak for itself rather than constantly looking for what's next.

More than an interview, this feels like two old friends catching up on careers, leadership, and how the automotive industry has evolved over the years. It's an honest conversation filled with practical lessons for anyone looking to build a career, lead people well, and recognise that the next opportunity often comes from excelling in the present one.🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:

theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US

Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent

Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent

X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent

Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:

Cameron Cresswell

linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:

Vaughan Blackman

linkedin.com/in/vaughan-blackman

linkedin.com/company/lsh-auto-uk-limited/

00:28 Introduction to Vaughan Blackman's Journey

01:14 The Vaughan Blackman Journey Begins

02:52 From Music to Marine Sales

05:56 Transitioning to Automotive Sales

09:10 Lessons from the Automotive Industry

10:57 Navigating Change in the Automotive Landscape

16:45 Understanding the Agency Model

17:56 Navigating Language Nuances in Automotive Conversations

17:56 Adapting to Business Operations in Melbourne

19:14 Scaling Leadership Across Multiple Locations

22:13 The Complexity of Agency Models in Dealerships

22:13 Understanding Income Streams in Dealership Operations

22:47 People and Process: The Core of Dealership Success

23:50 Comparing UK and Australian Automotive Markets

24:58 Insights into the UK Automotive Market Dynamics

27:01 Transaction Speeds: UK vs. Australia vs. US

29:07 The Rise of Chinese Automotive Brands

31:06 Electric Vehicles: Shaping the Future of the Market

36:28 The Evolving Electric Vehicle Market

37:01 Pursuing Education While Managing a Career

39:01 The Value of Legal Knowledge in Business

Imagine spending years becoming a criminal barrister, only to decide you’d rather sell cars.

That’s exactly what Ella Letiagina did. She left law, walked onto a Volkswagen dealership floor and started again — eventually helping take the brand from 4% market share to number one in Belarus. Then came Russia, then Australia, where she had to do something arguably harder: arrive with plenty of experience, but no reputation, no network and no shortcuts.

In this conversation, Ella and Cameron talk about what it takes to start again, earn trust in a new country and keep backing yourself when the path ahead isn’t obvious. They also get into the future of automotive — from KGM’s reinvention and the changing role of dealerships to AI, technology and why the more machines take care of the routine, the more valuable human judgement and relationships become. And if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready to take the next step, Ella has some pretty good advice: sometimes you just have to back yourself a little earlier.

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent
X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent
Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Ella Letiagina
linkedin.com/in/ella-letiagina-b7266144/
linkedin.com/company/kgm-au/

00:28 From Law to Leadership: Ella's Unique Journey
01:20 Navigating Market Volatility and Brand Reinvention
01:41 Introduction and Background
04:28 Transition from Law to Automotive
07:08 Passion for the Automotive Industry
09:26 Insights from Global Markets
11:59 Cultural Differences in Automotive
14:47 Reflections on Brand Experiences
17:29 Challenges and Humor in the Industry
19:58 Proving Yourself in a New Market
22:32 Navigating New Markets: A Humbling Experience
24:54 Building Relationships and Reputation
25:53 The Value of International Experience
26:57 The Evolution of the Dealership Model
29:07 The Role of AI in the Automotive Industry
32:41 Reflections on Personal Growth and Advice
38:32 From Belarus to Australia: A Journey of Resilience
39:01 Building a Reputation in a New Land