Nominations open for Autocar's Great British Women event

Nominations have opened for the 2018 edition of Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry event, which will be held on 20 June.

The initiative, run in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), identifies and celebrates the 100 most influential British women in the car industry.

Friends, colleagues or employers can nominate an individual to be considered for the shortlist of 100 women, which will be chosen based on seniority and level of influence. A judging panel will decide the final shortlist, along with one overall winner.

Great British Women 2017 - the top 100 rising stars 

Nominations have opened today (Thursday 8 March) to mark International Women’s Day, and close at 23.59 on Friday 6 April. Those nominating will need to supply supporting evidence, in no more than 300 words, of the nominee’s influence.

“This year more than ever, the importance of empowering and inspiring female professionals has been brought to the fore in the news agenda,” said Haymarket Automotive managing director Rachael Prasher, who heads up the judging panel.

“The automotive industry has historically been considered male-dominated but, as our event proves, there has been a significant change in recent times. We are seeing more and more women climbing up the ranks and enjoying highly successful careers.”

SMMT Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “There has never been a more exciting time to join the motor industry, or so many opportunities across such a wide range of careers. To maintain the UK’s position as a global centre of excellence for automotive innovation, we need to attract the best talent across all backgrounds and genders. Highlighting the successful women driving our sector today will help inspire the next generation to design, engineer, manufacture and market the vehicles of the future.”

The shortlisted winners will be announced at a ceremony during the Great British Women in the Car Industry event, which is backed by BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Nissan and Toyota, on 20 June. The day will also include two presentations from keynote speakers, a panel debate and networking session.

The top 100 nominees will be selected from the following 10 areas of the car industry: design, vehicle development, manufacturing, purchasing, sales (brand), sales (dealership and retail), marketing, communications, HR/personnel and executive. There will also be a category highlighting apprentices. A winner will be selected in each category, with an overall winner then chosen from that list.

Great British Women 2017 - autonomous driving engineer named as Rising Stars winner

As well as Rachael Prasher, the Great British Women in the Car Industry judging panel will comprise Jim Holder, Mark Tisshaw, Steve Cropley and Rachel Burgess from Autocar’s editorial team, plus the SMMT’s chief executive, Mike Hawes, and director of communications and international, Tamzen Isacsson.