INDUSTRY WOMEN ARE CATCHING UP ON MEN

WHEN it comes to deciding future cars and fashions for showrooms, the motor industry is still a man’s world.

But women are moving into the fast lane and starting to overtake.

That’s my take from the latest annual Brit List 2022 which ranks the top 50 most powerful Britons in the global motor industry.

Stuart Rowley, who was earlier this year appointed to the global role of chief transformation and quality officer for Ford — in addition to his existing position as chairman of Ford of Europe — emerged in the top slot of automotive movers and shakers.

However, there are just eight women in the top 50, with the highest placed woman, Alison Jones (pictured) — now in a global role as senior vicepresident of circular economy for Stellantis — just outside the top ten in 11th place.

There are other welcome signs of top women bosses moving up quickly in the rankings, as more female executives ascend the corporate ladder at all levels. The first Brit List — published in 2012 — featured no women at all.

Pipped into second place overall is Jaguar Land Rover’s chief creative officer Gerry McGovern who is responsible for the look of the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

He is also playing a pivotal role in the reinvention of Jaguar. Third place is Scottish-born consumer electronics expert Jim Rowan who shoots straight into the top ten as president and CEO of Sweden’s Volvo. Auto Express’s Brit List is chosen by an independent panel of industry experts. And here I must declare an interest. I am one of them.