Nathan Coe, CEO at Auto Trader: Yes, someone listed a tank on our platform

Episode Guest

Jack Parsons interviews Nathan Coe, the Chief Executive Officer of Auto Trader UK, where he has been a driving force behind the company’s operational and technological evolution for over 18 years. Since joining the company, Nathan has held several senior leadership roles including Operations Director and Product & Technology Director, where he oversaw critical functions such as product development, marketing, data, and technology.

Appointed CEO in February 2020, Nathan brings a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and digital transformation, built on earlier roles in corporate development at Telstra and Sensis. His tenure reflects a deep commitment to innovation and efficiency within the automotive marketplace sector.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Meet Nathan Coe: CEO of Auto Trader & His Duvet Flip

0:31 – First Jobs, Family Background & Early Career Aspirations

2:09 – From PWC to Purpose: Moving Beyond Money-Driven Goals

3:36 – Proving People Wrong & Embracing the Inner Rebel

5:00 – Was There a Grand Career Plan? (Spoiler: No)

6:45 – Breaking into Competitive Graduate Roles

8:44 – Tips for Interviews, Standing Out & Being Authentic

11:20 – What Auto Trader Looks for in Candidates

12:58 – The Importance of Teamwork, Collaboration & EQ

14:45 – Inside Auto Trader’s Quirky Culture & Values

17:01 – Inclusion as a Strategy, Not Just a Policy

19:14 – Longevity at Auto Trader: 10-Year Avg. Tenure

20:45 – Nathan’s First Car (and Why the Window Fell In)

22:33 – Buying Your First Car: Insurance, Costs & Tips

25:00 – How Auto Trader Helps You Buy Smarter with Tech

26:51 – The Tank Listed on Auto Trader (Yes, Really)

28:30 – Content Responsibility & Platform Trust

30:00 – Behind the Scenes: AI & Data Science at Auto Trader

31:36 – Career Paths at Auto Trader: Tech, Product, B2B & More

33:30 – From Magazine to Digital: A Tough but Bold Transition

35:12 – Launched Before Google: Auto Trader's 1995 Website

36:49 – Why Owning Cars Still Matters in the Digital Age

38:41 – Making Car Buying Seamless with Tech

40:22 – What’s Next for Auto Trader? The Digital Future

42:36 – Impacting Millions: Auto Trader’s Reach in the UK

44:10 – Leadership Philosophy: Care Deeply, Stay Grounded

45:51 – Advice on Resilience: No One Promised It’d Be Easy

47:29 – Nathan’s Duvet Flip: Empowering Others to Break Limits

49:00 – Closing Thoughts & A Legacy of Impact

Episode Partners

✈️ easyJet

Explore exciting career opportunities at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines. Whether you're passionate about aviation, customer service, engineering, or corporate roles, easyJet offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and growth.

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📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

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