Autocar names rising automotive industry stars

Workers from Ford, Hyundai and Mini have been honoured by our sister title, Autocar, as part of its annual Great Women: Rising Star Awards.

The ceremony, which this year took place at the UK headquarters of Stellantis – owners of several car makers, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Vauxhall – recognised the motoring industry’s best up-and-coming female talent across 11 categories.

Ford’s Sydney Hewitt won the award for Customer Aftercare, while Hyundai Motor UK’s Oxana Grishina won the Mobility and Digital Award and Mini’s Megan Harrall the Operations Award.

New for 2023, the ‘Diversity, Equality and Inclusion’ category – won this year by Toyota's section manager for employee relations, Emma Whyld – recognises those making the automotive sector more appealing to a wider range of people.

Julie Stears and Tina Wang from JLR (parent company of Jaguar and Land Rover) won awards for Vehicle Development and Purchasing respectively.

Two marketing awards were also presented; Leonie Raistrick from Peugeot won the Marketing (manufacturer) Award, while dealer group Pendragon PLC’s Laura Dennett took home the Marketing (supplier & retail) Award. Charlotte Mills, also from Pendragon PLC, was presented with the Sales Award; and Rhonda Tomlinson, Section manager at Toyota UK, won the award for Manufacturing.

Autocar editor, Mark Tisshaw, said: “The quality of our entries was so strong that it made judging not only more difficult but more enjoyable than ever before. I know all of our winners will continue to showcase our industry at its best, both in their fast-progressing careers and personal development. We will watch their careers grow with great interest.”

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