Advertisement feature: How Cox Automotive is championing women’s achievements in automotive

Advertisement feature from Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive will host a day of celebration of women’s achievements in the automotive industry this March. The event on International Women’s Day will culminate in the fifth winner of Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year’ for 2023 being announced.

The Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year’ award

Named after the late Barbara Cox – who served as director of Cox Enterprises, Cox Automotive’s parent company in the USA – the prestigious award honours inspirational women within the European automotive industry who embrace innovation, inspire others through great leadership, and give back to their community.

The award is open to any woman working within the automotive industry across Europe. In addition to gaining recognition across the industry, the winner will also receive £5,000 to spend on her own personal development.

On winning last year’s award, Caroline Burnell, Head of Marketing and Communications at motor retailer eStar truck and van said: “Winning the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award was a major personal accolade. There are so many skill sets needed in this industry now and women have so much to offer. It’s great to see organisations such as Cox Automotive leading these initiatives and recognising the crucial role of women in automotive.”

This year’s award has once again received excellent nominations for more than 50 inspirational women in the automotive industry. They were reviewed by a judging panel consisting of previous winners Caroline Burnell and Lorna McAtear, Cox Automotive’s Liam Quegan and Sarnjit Kaur, and Bauer Media Group’s Mandy Cluskey.

International Women’s Day

The winner will be announced as part of the company’s next Women With Drive event on 8th March, International Women’s Day. Women With Drive is a regular series of events, created by Cox Automotive, that exists to celebrate the work of women in the automotive industry. It is an inclusive movement built to support female achievements, aspirations and successes, with a ‘think big’ attitude and a space for every voice.

Since its launch in 2016, Women With Drive has held regular events, both in-person and online, which have empowered women and men in the Cox Automotive team and wider industry, championing equality and ambition both in and out of the workplace.

Martin Forbes, President of Cox Automotive International, said: “Inclusion, diversity, and equality are at the heart of our business. We thrive on what makes us different, celebrate each other’s unique abilities and perspectives, and recognise that individual experiences, backgrounds and skills help us to innovate, grow and improve.

“The Barbara Cox ‘Woman of the Year’ award is a longstanding initiative that promotes the advancement of women across the automotive industry, it recognises an outstanding female who has made significant advances to the automotive industry and inspires others to do the same.

“The winner will be a great leader that gives back to her community, just as Barbara Cox herself did. This award is very special and unlike any other in the sector.”

Watch the event

A livestream available to everyone will be made available to watch the announcement of the winner of the Barbara Cox award, plus a panel session with the all the nominees. Visit womenwithdrive.co.uk to find out more!

Past winners

There have been some exceptional previous winners of the award since it was launched back in 2019.