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Industry experts to headline Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars 2019 event

Great British Women 2019 Logo

● Aston Martin’s Laura Schwab and national tennis coach Judy Murray to deliver keynote speeches at Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars 2019
● Panel discussion includes industry experts from CDK Global, Jardine Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Vertu and Volkswagen
● Event will be held on Wednesday 19 June at 30 Euston Square, London
● For more information including how to get tickets, visit https://www.autocar.co.uk/greatbritishwomen/2019

Autocar has confirmed a host of top automotive industry experts to present at this year’s Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars initiative.

The prestigious event, taking place on Wednesday 19 June at 30 Euston Square, London, and returning for a fourth year, will recognise and celebrate rising female talent from across the automotive industry.

Held in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the event will open with keynote speeches from Aston Martin’s president of the Americas, Laura Schwab, and Peugeot ambassador and former Fed Cup captain Judy Murray.

Mercedes-Benz’s Rob Halloway and Rachael Thompson will discuss their experience of sitting on a gender-equal board, a panel of leading Rising Stars will reflect on their time in the industry and 2018 Times Business in the Community Gender Champion Val Risk will talk about how to improve diversity in business.

To conclude, Autocar’s managing director, Rachael Prasher, will chair a panel debate with some of the automotive industry’s high-profile leaders.

Panellists include:

Cath Sibbald, vice-president of human resources at CDK Global
Neil Williamson, CEO of automotive dealership group Jardine Motors
Friederike Kienitz, vice-president for legal, external and government affairs at Nissan
Paul Van der Burgh, managing director of Toyota UK
Elaine Cole, commercial director at Vertu Motors
Alex Smith, managing director of Volkswagen Group UK

Prasher said: “We have a great line-up joining us for this year’s Great British Women – Rising Stars event with a wealth of experience across the breadth of the automotive industry coming together to recognise some of the brightest names in the business.

“Our speakers and panellists have worked to promote the opportunities for promising females in the automotive industry. It will be great to hear their thoughts on the opportunities available, and how UK automotive recognises and promotes the outstanding qualities of these women going forward.”

The keynote speakers and discussion panel will be followed by an awards ceremony, in which the category winners and overall winner from the Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars top 100 shortlist will be recognised.

Autocar Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars is held in partnership with the SMMT, with support from headline sponsors CDK Global, Nissan and Toyota, and support partners Peugeot and VW Group.

Tickets for the event are strictly limited, with priority given to winners and past winners. However, a limited number of tickets will be available. To register an interest, contact Autocar at autocar.events@haymarket.com

Provisional schedule:

From 1.30pm: Arrival (with tea and coffee)
1.50pm: Welcome
2.00pm: Laura Schwab keynote
2.30pm: Judy Murray keynote
3.00pm: Case study – Mercedes board members
3.30pm: Case study – Rising Stars
3.55pm: Case study – Val Risk
4.20pm: Panel debate
4.50pm: Awards ceremony
5.30pm: Networking (drinks and canapés)
6.30pm: Departure

ENDS

Notes to editor

For full information on Autocar’s 2019 Great British Women, please visit https://www.autocar.co.uk/greatbritishwomen/2019

About Autocar

Autocar was founded in 1895 and is the essential news, reviews, entertainment and reference title for car buyers and enthusiasts everywhere.

It specialises in revealing the secrets of new cars, while its famous road tests are used by the industry and consumers alike as the authoritative benchmark.

Autocar’s readers are recognised as the most influential in the UK. The knowledge they glean from the magazine and pass on leads to thousands of car purchases a year.

Autocar has nine editions worldwide, and its fast-growing website means Autocar now has 1.3 million readers a month, viewing 11.4 million pages.

Meanwhile, Autocar’s YouTube channel has become the most authoritative motoring video site in the world, garnering more than 250 million views and over 650,000 subscribers.

To read the latest news and reviews, visit: www.autocar.co.uk

For media enquiries, please contact Performance Communications:
Natasha Perry, Sam Wilkinson or Ross Pinnock at Performance Communications on 020 8541 3434.

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