VW Group UK managing director becomes Patron of Automotive 30% Club

Volkswagen Group UK managing director, Damien O’Sullivan, has become a patron of the Automotive 30% Club, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to gender balance and approach to DE&I.

O’Sullivan took over in December from Alex Smith, who was the first Patron and Gold member of the Club.

The UK’s Automotive 30% Club is a network of over 70 automotive MDs and CEOs who have made a commitment to be inclusive leaders and build diverse gender-balanced businesses.

Volkswagen Group UK has long been a part of the network, and is proud of its current achievements in the field of DE&I.

Not only does it have over 46% female representation overall, it has also gone beyond its target to have at least 30% of women in senior leadership roles.

Of course, the aim now is to increase this further.

Commenting on his appointment, Julia Muir, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, said: “I'm very pleased to welcome Damien O'Sullivan to the Automotive 30% Club as a Patron Gold member.

"Damien's inclusive leadership style, international experience and familiarity with different cultures will bring a new perspective and multi-dimensional diversity intelligence to our group of Patrons.

"Together we will work across the sector to create high performing gender-balanced and diverse teams of the best people to rise to the challenges of industry transformation.

"It is great to see that Damien is keen to build further on the fantastic work already done at Volkswagen Group UK, and his collaborative approach will be of great value to the Club.”

O’Sullivan added: “Volkswagen Group UK is a decade into its diversity, equity and inclusion journey and I’m privileged to be joining the organisation at such an advanced stage.

"I recognise the groundbreaking work which has taken place to bring it to its current position and I’m determined to move the organisation forward to the next level.

“We’re so proud of our award-winning initiatives, active Employee Network Groups and inclusive intersectional approach, and recognise these elements provide us with a fantastic foundation on which to build the next 10 years of progress.”