Despite industry efforts, women make up only 20% of the UK automotive workforce, with even lower representation at senior levels. But this could be about to change thanks to a new initiative.
‘Empowering Auto UK’ has been aunched, to support women in automotive careers with help from Solera Cap HPI.
Originating in Canada and now a wider global movement, Empowering Auto brings together senior leaders and emerging talent to address enduring structural issues in recruitment, retention and progression.
Stacey Ward, senior director of data products and operations at Solera Cap HPI, said: “The decision to back the initiative shows both the scale of the challenge and the call for a more co-ordinated response across the sector. We are supporting Empowering Auto UK to tackle the main issues, under-representation, weak retention, slow progression into leadership, workplace culture and inconsistent senior commitment across the sector.”
Empowering Auto UK is focusing on reshaping career pathways and creating more accessible routes into leadership. Alongside recruitment, the initiative is expected to address mid-career drop-off, often linked to family pressures, as well as cultural barriers that continue to deter long-term participation.
There is also a commercial benefit as broadening the talent pool will address the ongoing skills shortages across multiple parts of the automotive sector. A more balanced workforce is widely linked to stronger performance, improved innovation and better alignment with a diverse customer base.
As a founding member, Solera Cap HPI will play a part in shaping the UK chapter. The partnership demonstrates industry momentum to address diversity challenges in the automotive sector. The global automotive technology company has already been active in this space through its own internal and industry-facing initiatives.
