As the recently appointed CEO of the IMI, and with becoming a Gold Member of the Automotive 30% Club, attending my first event was both a privilege and an important moment.
Stepping into this role at such a critical time for our sector, I felt energised by the passion, ambition, and shared commitment in the room. The Mini Summit provided not only a warm welcome, but a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all carry to lead with purpose, champion inclusion, and drive meaningful change across automotive.
As the automotive sector navigates one of the most dynamic and transformative periods in its history, leadership that is inclusive, agile, and forward-thinking has never been more important.
That message came through loud and clear at this event, where industry leaders, including me, IMI CFO Rose Butterworth, and other fellow members, came together to explore how transformational leadership and high-performing, inclusive teams can strengthen resilience and drive long-term growth.
Opening the event, Julia Muir, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, set the tone by highlighting the urgent need for leadership that embraces diversity and empowers people to bring their full selves to work and reminded attendees that the industry’s capacity to innovate depends on the diversity of the people behind it.
Speakers including Damien O’Sullivan (Volkswagen Group UK), Nicole Melillo Shaw (Volvo Car UK), Patrick McGillycuddy (JLR UK), and Jose Blanco (Brayleys Cars and Johnsons Cars) shared their perspectives on transformational leadership in times of turbulence. Each reflected on how leaders must draw on the strengths, intelligence, and lived experiences of diverse teams to balance risk and seize opportunity, something that will be key as the sectors workforce continues to undergo a transition thanks to an ever-expanding technological landscape.
The afternoon sessions explored how unlocking potential within under-represented groups can be a catalyst for high performance. Alex Partridge, founder of LADBible and host of the ADHD Chatter podcast, discussed the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to fast-changing environments, how they can identify patterns and make connections that others miss. Alyx Gregory and Sarah Blewett from Carwow shared the success of The Confidence Project, which identified and helped close the gender confidence gap in leadership roles through practical, targeted interventions.
For the IMI, these conversations are more than theoretical. Our data shows that women represent just 18.6% of the automotive workforce and only 10.4% of senior roles, compared with almost 40% across the wider economy. This gap represents lost innovation and opportunity that our sector cannot afford to ignore.
Through initiatives such as our ‘There’s More to Motor’ campaign, the IMI is challenging outdated perceptions and highlighting the diverse careers that automotive offers. Our partnership with WorldSkills UK and ongoing workforce research is equipping employers and policymakers with the insights needed to remove barriers and unlock potential.
The automotive sector has a world of opportunity to offer women, but that opportunity must be accessible, visible, and real. The IMI is committed to working with our Automotive 30% Club and its partners to accelerate change and build a more inclusive future for our industry.
Nick Connor, CEO
