Autocar Drivers of Change: JLR's Barbara Bergmeier crowned overall winner

Before being named an Autocar Driver of Change, Bergmeier was named an Exceptional Leader by JLR’s Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Network for her efforts to improve the recruitment, development and progression of black, African and Caribbean women within JLR. More recently, Bergmeier launched the Automotive Women and Allies scheme as a series of events that will focus on empowering women from across the industry to drive automotive forward.

The Drivers of Change judges also named five highly commended Drivers of Change who merit special commendation for all the work they are doing for DEI and driving change in the industry. They are:

Warren Richards, head of direct sales, Audi UK

Richards has played a pivotal role in supporting gender equality and fostering an inclusive culture at Volkswagen Group UK. He has consistently championed DEI efforts, co-ordinating teams, mentoring colleagues and advocating for minority groups. 

His leadership has directly contributed to significant progress, with VW Group UK now hosting a 46% female workforce and achieving Inclusive Employers Standard Gold accreditation in 2023.

Jaskirat Singh, sustainability strategy and steering manager, BMW Group

A passionate advocate for inclusion since before his professional career even began, Singh has established himself as a cornerstone of the BMW Group UK’s DEI initiatives.

He has co-founded a mentoring programme for local schools, organised Black History Month events and worked to break the taboo around mental health in South Asian communities, hosting events with the MindsMatter network. 

Singh is also co-chair of the Embrace DEI network group, and has led the production of a new ‘Unplugged’ video series, where he speaks with colleagues on sensitive topics. 

Lisa Rowles, global HR strategy director, Horiba MIRA

Rowles is a key member of Horiba MIRA’s senior leadership team, helping to drive transformation in people and culture. 

She led a company-wide programme to improve employer status, launching internal and external communications, reducing attrition by over 50% and enhancing talent recruitment in niche tech areas with a focus on diversity. Rowles has also developed comprehensive wellbeing initiatives and a Life Links network for team members. 

Louise Gardner, head of talent, diversity and inclusion, Stellantis

Having recently transitioned from a 30-year career in commercial roles into an HR leadership position, Gardner uses her commercial acumen to bring a new dimension to the department – devising the ‘Together We Belong’ strategy, which has been well supported by her colleagues across the business.

Stellantis has several thriving Employee Resource Groups as a result, including Women in Stellantis, an Armed Forces network, a LGBTQ+ community and the ‘Hot Flushes’ menopause group. 

Gardner has also helped to drive an upswing in diversity through Stellantis’s Early Careers outreach programme, launched a cross-company skill development scheme and introduced a new series of Emerging Talent sessions that provide a platform for colleagues to share their thoughts and perspectives. 

Mike Orford, head of PR and communications, Volkswagen UK

Orford has been a source of inspiration to many, and stepped up in a very public way when Volkswagen Group UK established the ‘We Drive Proud’ Employee Network Group in 2019, taking on the role as sponsor, appointing a chair and proceeding to run the group from scratch.

Orford has been the driving force behind a number of initiatives that have been fundamental to driving inclusivity and open conversations. These include setting up talks with celebrities including Michael Gunning, maximising publicity for the rainbow-liveried Tiny Cars at football’s European Championship and – a flagship project – VW Group’s sponsorship of the Milton Keynes Pride Festival, now in its fifth year.

Company award: Stellantis