All of this year’s outstanding winners are listed below.
Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw said: “Lisa Brankin is deeply impressive as Ford’s UK boss, keeping the brand in the fight for top spots while transitioning it into a new era – both with electric passenger cars and with its growing commercial vehicle arm. This shows why she is so highly valued by the global brand and why she herself is so influential within the industry.”
Chair of the judging panel and managing director of Haymarket Automotive, Rachael Prasher, said: “It is a joy to see Autocar Great Women continue to grow, both the number of women working in the industry and their seniority. Our ambition when we launched Great Women eight years ago was to shine a spotlight on individuals, roles and businesses so that others could be inspired to choose automotive as a career. This year, more than ever, our Autocar Great Women do just that.”
SMMT CEO Mike Hawes said: “More women are driving success in the UK automotive industry than ever before, making this year’s judging tougher but even more inspiring than the last. Congratulations to all the winners, who represent the very best talent in the industry. At a critical moment in the zero-emission and automated vehicle transition, these Great Women – from engineer to boardroom executive and every discipline in between – instil massive confidence for the future. Diversity brings proven benefits to businesses and industry must strive to recruit top-calibre people from all backgrounds – a journey that will ultimately benefit everyone.”
This year’s event, held at Stellantis’s Coventry HQ, included a number of speakers, talks and interviews from: Alison Jones, senior vice president, global circular economy, Stellantis; Geraldine Ingham, global managing director, Range Rover, JLR; Sam Sterry, group sales director, Europcar Mobility Group; Sophia Flörsch, Formula 3 driver, Alpine Academy; and Colonel Hannah Stoy, chief of staff to the assistant chief of the defence staff (people capability).
A panel debate was also held, featuring: Maria Grazia Davino, group managing director, Stellantis UK; Michelle Roberts, marketing director, BMW Group UK; and Nic Johnson, people director, Centre of Excellence, Bentley.