An Interview with Jim Hartshorne, Managing Director, Commercial, Unipart | Introduced by Odgers

'Introduced by Odgers' features exceptional individuals appointed to prestigious leadership positions globally, demonstrating our strong client partnerships across various industries and sectors.

Oliver Dick, Principal, Supply Chain & Procurement Practice, caught up with Jim to explore his leadership style and influence at Unipart, as well as the main elements to leadership success.

How will your leadership influence Unipart and its wider stakeholders?

Sometimes you can actually progress your career forward by moving to a smaller organisation - coming from a large, well-drilled company like DHL, I have brought a lot of best practices with me. I believe I’ve been able to offer some guidance to a team that hasn’t had that kind of external perspective before. A lot of people at Unipart have either been here a long time or have only worked here, so I think I’ve complemented that with a fresh approach.

Our CEO is a very experienced industry leader, having worked across multiple sectors and industries, he brings a different dynamic to the business. I think I help translate his vision into something practical and actionable.

On a personal level, I’m really energised by teamwork and collaboration. Our business has historically operated in silos, but we’ve restructured and are now focused on “One Unipart”. 

My natural style is about making people feel at ease. I really enjoy being part of the leadership team, and I’ve had feedback that I’ve helped enable better collaboration. I get a real buzz from creating a positive team environment where everyone can do their best work.

Listen to Jim’s key elements to successful leadership below:

What are your top three tips for success in leadership?

1. A key function for me is acting with integrity around others, but also with integrity to yourself. I know it's an old adage, but with personal integrity, you've got to be able to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of each day.
2. Bring energy to the role. When you get to senior levels, it's stressful, intense and relentless. But often your engagements are really important to the person that's come to see you and they want to see you positive and energetic and to imbue that in the team.
3. And ultimately, team focus. You are never going do it on your own. You're made or broken by the quality of your team - respect them and create an environment where they can bring their best to work and you'll be so much more successful than if you feel you've got to do everything by yourself.

Introduced by Odgers | Success Story 

Odgers partnered with Unipart to identify an outstanding leader for the newly-created role of Managing Director, Commercial, with Jim Hartshorne assuming the position in March 2025.

To discover more about Jim’s career background, his journey with Odgers and his ambitions for his role, read his individual success story here. 

Introduced by Odgers | Jim Hartshorne Success Story

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