Autocar has revealed the top 100 female rising stars in the car industry, with the list topped by Emma King, an EV pioneer advancing Ford’s electrified plans.
The list was compiled by judges from Autocar and the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The full list can be viewed here.
Outstanding individuals rising through the ranks of their respective sectors were recognised across nine categories: purchasing, aftersales and workshop, marketing, sales, people development, vehicle development, operations, manufacturing and PR and communications.
Two further categories – apprentices and new digital and mobility solutions – sit outside the top 100 and exist to celebrate and encourage the next generation of automotive talent.
King, senior purchasing manager of EV battery cells for Ford, was chosen from the nine category winners as 2019’s overall winner, having made a significant contribution to the company’s $11bn electrification strategy.
King began her automotive career as a commercial vehicle buyer at Ford’s UK base in Dunton, later transferring to its Indian HQ in Chennai to lead powertrain purchasing for Asia. She now manages the sourcing of EV batteries across the US, EU and China.
Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw said: “Emma’s impressive rise at Ford is the perfect showcase for everything we are celebrating here today.
“The car industry is always experimenting, pushing boundaries and looking into new technologies, and Emma’s role perfectly highlights how exciting it is to be part of. The ambition and success of all our top 100 rising stars demonstrate the breadth of exciting career opportunities within modern automotive.”
King said: “The work I do with Ford is a really exciting area to be involved in. Investing heavily in an electric future means our work is at the forefront of the migration to new technologies and services.
“It is a huge privilege to have been chosen as this year’s winner of Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars, and I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the entire team at Autocar and the SMMT for this honour.”
Run in partnership with the SMMT, Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars is supported by headline sponsors CDK Global, Nissan and Toyota, and support partners Peugeot and Volkswagen Group.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “We are delighted to continue to support this fantastic initiative, which rightly celebrates success while working to encourage more women into the industry. There has never been a more exciting time to join the motor sector, with developments in electrification, digitalisation and AI resulting in a seismic shift in innovation.
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