For International Women’s Day, AMDEA is proud to spotlight Gemma Austin, Product Compliance Officer at BSH Home Appliances Ltd, representing iconic brands Bosch, NEFF, Siemens, and Gaggenau. Gemma’s journey into the home appliance sector began unexpectedly, but her determination and authenticity have shaped an inspiring career and made her an invaluable voice within the domestic appliance compliance community.
Finding Opportunity in the Unexpected
Gemma first joined BSH in 2012, working through an agency in the company’s National Parts Centre. Her strong work ethic and natural rapport with colleagues quickly earned her an official contract, the fastest ever for an agency staff member at the time. From warehouse operations to the post room, those early roles allowed her to build relationships across the organisation and familiarise herself with the wider business. Product compliance, however, wasn’t part of her original plan.
Discovering a Career in Product Compliance
“I never thought I would work with compliance, standards, and regulations,” Gemma admits. “Those topics seemed boring to me!” But in 2019, after realising a PR apprenticeship was not the right fit, she had four weeks to secure a new position. A colleague recognised her potential and recommended her for a role in product compliance. She took a leap of faith and never looked back.
Her early mentor, Alex Lewis, played a pivotal role: “He reassured me I knew what I was talking about and encouraged me to trust myself.” Colleagues across Europe also welcomed her with openness and support, laying the foundation for a career she now thrives in.
The Evolving Landscape of Diversity in the Industry
Gemma has seen first-hand how industry’s diversity has grown, particularly in gender and nationalities. At a recent AMDEA Technical Committee meeting, she noted it was “the most women I’ve ever seen at one of those meetings”. Even so, she observes that men often dominate technical conversations, though she jokes: “Until I joined, of course!”
While progress is evident, she believes there is still room for improvement and a more equal balance.
Navigating Challenges and Building Confidence
Gemma hasn’t felt directly challenged as a woman in her sector: “Everyone has been welcoming and engaging.” Most of her hurdles were internal, self‑doubt and second‑guessing. With time and a supportive network, she’s learned to put that aside. Her philosophy is simple: “It’s better to ask a question than never ask at all. How are we to learn if we sit on the sidelines?”
A Day in the Life of a Product Compliance Officer
A typical day for Gemma includes “reading, lots of reading! Creating Declarations of conformity for all our products and ensuring the connected appliances under (RED) are available on our brand websites. Then I will respond to general queries from the Category Team, Customer Service Team, Area Business Managers and our Technical Team. I believe that it is important to be efficient in responding to an email in a good timeframe”.
Efficiency and transparency are core values for Gemma, and they are qualities she has passed on to colleagues she works closely with. “We have an amazing working relationship with our colleagues, who work in our factories, for those more technical questions we receive and may not know the answer.”
“No day is the same, as I never know what I’m going to receive.”
Gemma finds her greatest reward in being honest, responsive, and helpful: “I don’t want to lead someone up the garden path. If I don’t know something, I’ll find out or find someone who can help.” Having experienced unhelpful responses earlier in her career, she strives to be the colleague others can rely on.
Proudest Achievement
Gemma played a significant role in navigating Brexit compliance, a complex, multi-dimensional challenge. From correcting misinterpretations to learning new systems and managing vast flows of information, she calls the project “an amazing achievement,” supported by colleagues across many departments.
Opportunities for Improvement Within the Industry
When we asked Gemma, ‘What more do you think the domestic appliance industry could do to attract and retain more women?’, she said: “Women look more closely at the people that work around us and how we feel when we walk into the office.
Being happy in the place you spend most of your waking hours is important to us. This includes job descriptions and how the employer words engineering, compliance and technical roles within a company. It doesn’t set a warm environment, but a cold one. Which I believe can affect women applying for the roles. Inclusivity is important to us, leaving any bias at the door.”
And, she adds: “Having a sense of humour helps, people in this area can be perceived as a bit wooden”.
Advice to Women Considering Technical or Compliance Careers
“I believe I’m proof that you don’t always need a degree to succeed in an engineering, compliance or technical role. I believe with hard work, determination and the right attitude, the world is your oyster. Be open and honest with what you do and don’t know and always having your door open for questions. No matter how busy we get, it’s important for those who work around you that they have your support.”
Gemma’s advice to her younger self would be “Believe in yourself and your capabilities”.
International Women’s Day 2026: ‘Give to Gain’
This year’s theme resonates deeply with Gemma: “The more you give, the more you gain. Be your authentic self. Treat others how you want to be treated.” Her kindness and openness have changed lives in ways she never expected. “I have been told that some conversations I’ve had with friends and colleagues have helped with their mental health. To know I’ve had that impact means the world to me,” she says.
“‘Be kind’ is more than words or a hashtag.”
Gemma Austin embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day: courage, authenticity, compassion, and leadership through example.
Her journey reminds us that careers aren’t always linear, confidence can be learned, and giving time, kindness and honesty creates ripples that go far beyond the workplace.