Iryna Kocharova heads up the Product Proposition Development and Sustainability function in Motor Finance and Leasing division at Lloyds Banking Group.
She is responsible for the development and evolution of the electrification strategy in the automotive sector and product management within the function, designing new propositions for customers and enhancing existing engagement channels.
Throughout her time with Lloyds Banking Group Iryna has experienced and actively contributed to the company’s cultural journey. She takes great pride in being a role model to other colleagues and greatly enjoys working with colleagues on their personal development.
EDs: What led you to your current role at Lloyds?
I was born in Ukraine and came to the UK in 2013 with my family. I studied law at university and then decided to pursue a career in Finance, joining Lloyds’ graduate scheme in 2010.
I began my career in customer-facing roles where I learnt the importance of putting customers at the heart of everything we do, as well as leading and developing people to achieve their goals and aspirations.
I then transitioned to strategy-focused roles, working on a number of initiatives designed to enhance customer experience including the development of the Group’s Sustainability Strategy to support our customers’ green transition journey.
EDs: What appealed to you about working in emobility at Lloyds Banking Group?
The motor industry is going through one of the biggest industry transformations since we stopped riding horses and switched to cars. The current transition towards electric vehicles created the perfect opportunity for me to spearhead our emobility strategy and put into practice my previous experience in this field.
I always wanted to be at the forefront of strategic innovation and was attracted to this role to broaden my business knowledge and experience. I knew that I could bring to the team my drive for customer excellence, innovative thinking and strong execution so it was a good fit for me.
EDs: What does your current role entail?
Most of what we do in the Motor Finance and Leasing team involves designing and executing automotive sustainability strategies and propositions that will support our customers’ electrification journey.
2022 will see us refresh and reinvigorate our goals and strategies to take the Group forward in the coming years. My Proposition Development and Sustainability Strategy team drives greater ambition and execution of the industry’s new proposition development and sustainability agenda.
My work is focused on the electrification strategy and policy, new products and servicing proposition development whilst maintaining our strong focus on existing products and customer needs.
EDs: What role does an organisation like Lloyds Banking Group play in the transition to, and acceleration of, electric vehicles (EVs)?
At Lloyds, our purpose is to help Britain prosper. We do that by creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for people and businesses, shaping finance as a force for good.
Core to our purpose and new strategy is our focus on building an inclusive society and supporting the transition to a low carbon economy as this is where can make the biggest difference. All the while, we’re creating new avenues for future growth.
We want to help our customers make the lifestyle changes required in their homes, vehicles and investments by creating green products and services that make it easier for them to invest in tackling climate change. Motor Finance and Leasing form a key part of our vision for the future.
Today we fund one in ten new electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. We launched an online support tool aiding the transition to electric and hybrid cars, and a new electric car salary sacrifice scheme.
We also aspire to be a leading UK provider of low emission/green vehicle fleets. Our new strategy includes a number of specific outcomes that will help finance the transition of our customers, with £8 billion worth of financing and leasing for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2024.
EDs: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to lead a career in sustainability?
Now is the time to create a future where our planet is cared for, people feel safe and included, and businesses and communities can thrive.
The sustainability industry needs people who are innovative in their thinking and not afraid to make bold decisions we make in business, from where and how we invest, to the products and services we offer, to the workplace we create.
Sustainability is no longer a philanthropic subject, it’s at the heart of every decision we make that impact our day to day lives. Organisations like Lloyds Banking Group will never stop innovating to make sustainable, ethical choices easy and rewarding and I would strongly encourage more young women to join this industry to help us drive it forward.
In my career, I always strived to build a good and honest working relationship with colleagues and managers which sometimes involves having courageous conversations to share my views and ideas.
