Women of Ford Triumph in Autocar Awards Led by Chair and MD Lisa Brankin
A dozen Ford employees have been honoured among the automotive industry’s top 100 accomplished and influential figures in the 9th edition of the Great Women Awards run by authoritative online and magazine publisher Autocar, in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Launched in 2016, the Autocar Great Women Awards is an annual initiative which celebrates women within the automotive sector, alternating between recognising executive leaders who command the greatest influence within their fields, and ‘rising stars’ of the motoring industry, with top apprentices included every year.
Ford’s accolades are led by Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford of Britain and Ireland, who is named the overall winner of this year’s Great Women Top 100 initiative, as well as triumphing in the executive category. Autocar highlighted her pivotal role in shaping the British automotive landscape, given Ford’s extensive reach in both passenger car and light commercial sales.
“This honour is an absolute surprise and a delight”, said Lisa Brankin, “We don’t get here by ourselves – I’ve had support throughout my career, and I work with a fantastic team. So, I accept this award as a partial recognition of me, but mostly as a recognition of them. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my team and everyone who has collaborated with me along the way. I’m also immensely grateful to Autocar for their commitment to uplifting the women in our industry and congratulate all the other nominees and winners.”
Also joining the spotlight is Cathy O’Callaghan, global President and CEO of Ford Credit, whose exemplary leadership in finance operations earned top place in Autocar’s finance category. She expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m honoured to be recognised and to serve our dynamic industry alongside such talented leaders. With all its challenges, complexities, fast-changing technology, and diverse customers, there’s nothing else like it.”
Sue Slaughter, retired Purchasing Director at Ford of Europe, and recipient of numerous Autocar awards, entered the Great Women Hall of Fame for her years of transformative leadership and enduring impact on the industry.
Alongside Lisa, Cathy, and Sue, Autocar acknowledged the achievements of 10 other female leaders at Ford, including two apprentices in their Top 100 list of Great Women:
| CATEGORY | NAME | ROLE | LOCATION |
| Executive | Mandy Dean | Commercial Vehicle Director, Ford of Britain, and Ireland | Dunton, UK |
| Manufacturing | Wendy Graham | Assistant Plant Manager | Dagenham, UK |
Operations | Bim Adesanya | Company Secretary, Legal Affairs, Ford of Britain, and Europe | Dunton, UK |
| Usha Raghavachari | Executive Design Director | Stratford, UK | |
| Sarah Brettle | Customer Service Division Director | Dunton, UK | |
| PR & Comms | Emma Bergg | Director of Electric Vehicle, Energy, and Battery Tech Communications | USA |
| Vehicle Development | Sarah Haslam | Vehicles Program Leader (also Trustee Board Member at Women’s Engineering Society (WES)) | Turkey |
| Governmental | Nicola Walker | Governmental Affairs Director | Dunton, UK |
| Apprentice | Megan HandleyMolly Starkes | Higher Apprentices | Dunton, UK |
Ford’s ongoing apprentice recruitment, comprehensive education outreach initiatives, and policies advocating for flexible working arrangements reflect the brand’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and balanced workplace for all individuals.
Autocar Managing Director Rachael Prasher commented: “Ford’s impressive list of winners in this year’s Top 100, led by Lisa, is testament to the maker’s impact on the automotive industry and the importance of leading brands driving diversity to ensure we have the best people and skills. Congratulations to Lisa, Cathy, and everyone else recognised.”
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