Congratulations to the winner of the Inspiring Automotive Women Award: Catherine Faiers
Catherine is a leader committed to creating a more inclusive automotive industry. In 2024, she launched the “Great Events for All” initiative to ensure industry events are safe and inclusive, collaborating with Automotive 30% Club members and organisations like Consent Collective to tackle sexual harassment and raise awareness.
She also worked with Auto Trader and Planit to create a free events guide for organisers. Catherine has been the executive sponsor for Auto Trader's ethnicity network for three years, promoting positive change for underrepresented groups and launching programs like “The Black Experience” for People Managers. She also helped Auto Trader earn the “Race Equality Matters – Trailblazer” accolade.
On social media, Catherine uses her large following to promote the automotive industry to women, sharing her career stories and mentoring women facing intersectional barriers. She mentors young women through the Social Mobility Foundation and the Cherie Blair Foundation. As an Executive Director at Auto Trader, she serves as a role model for women in the company and actively engages in industry discussions.
Catherine is also the Chair of Allegro’s ESG committee, focusing on gender, sustainability, and DE&I. Additionally, she invests in women-led start ups and remains deeply connected to people in her organisation, balancing her leadership with authenticity and personal storytelling.
Congratulations to our shortlists:
| Amanda Houssein | Product Portfolio Director | Enterprise Mobility |
| Carolyn Bundey | Senior Manager Strategic Projects | Toyota GB Plc |
| Claire Bell | Head of Diversity and Inclusion | Lithia UK |
| Erin Baker | Automotive Journalist | |
| Jenna Randall | General Manager | Motus Vehicle Solutions |
| Jessica Montgomery | Master Technician | Vertu Motors Group |
| Lynne McBurney | Group People Director | Arnold Clark |
| Karen Greenwood | Head of HR | Solus |
| Karena Shahid | Regional Account Manager | LKQ Euro Car Parts |
| Katie Grey | Technical Trainer | Thatcham Research |
| Laura Giri | Lead Garage Trainer | First Step Trust |
| Louise Baker | Company Director | Womanic |
| Lynne McBurney | Group People Director | Arnold Clark Automobiles |
| Melanie Phillips | Site Operations Manager | Direct Line Group Auto Services, Aylesbury |
| Michelle Breffitt | Co-Founder | Women Drive Electric |
| Nicola Jackson | Partner Support Executive | Close Brothers Motor Finance |
| Nicola Sutherland | People and Culture Director | Steer Automotive Group |
| Nicola Thompson | Head of Marketing - Strategic Projects | Vertu Motors plc |
| Olivia Mills | Head of Consumer Customer Service | Zenith Intelligent Vehicle Solutions |
| Rachel Harrison | Group Vehicle Operations & Logistics Manager | Volkswagen Group UK |
| Sally Foote | Chief Commercial Officer - SellMyCar | Carwow |
| Sam Panayides | UK Enterprise Sales Director | Cox Automotive |
| Tracey Newton | Group People Director | JCT600 |
| Vikki Banks | Business Technical Support Manager | TrustFord |
