25.10.2022

Lookers celebrates the success of its inspirational women who are officially recognised for their outstanding contribution

Four inspiring women at leading UK automotive retail and service group Lookers have been recognised for their commitment to promoting leadership, gender diversity and inclusion within the group and across the motoring industry.

In a tough competition Lookers secured four top accolades, with the winners nominated internally and externally from across its UK-wide team. The four award-winners were noted for their excellence in mentoring, encouraging inclusion, supporting colleagues and for making a difference to the business and its strong culture of diversity.

A record 280 nominations from more than 30 companies were made to the Automotive 30% Club for The Inspiring Automotive Women Awards, an annual gala event held in recognition of women’s contribution to success across the automotive industry.

Lookers’ four winners were Service Manager Leanne Chevannes from Stoke on Trent, Chelmsford-based Annalise Eldred, Head of Customer Contact Centres, and from Greater Manchester, Head of Compliance Samantha Reed and Group Customer Service and Complaint Resolution Manager Nikki Simms.

Julia Muir, Founder of the Automotive 30% Club, said:

“Our 2022 Automotive 30% Club Inspiring Automotive Women Award winners are an amazing group of women who have not only made a great contribution to the success of the business in their day jobs, but they have also been fabulous role models to colleagues and are lifting and motivating others as they have risen in their careers.

“As wonderful ambassadors and advocates for the sector, they have inspired the next generation of women to join the automotive industry and have promoted their companies as inclusive employers of choice. Today, we celebrate the brilliant women who are helping to change the game in automotive.”

Karen Prince, Lookers’ Director of Customer Engagement, said:

“Hard work, commitment, and perseverance are always rewarded, which is why I’m absolutely delighted to be congratulating these four inspirational, passionate, and dedicated women from across our UK team for the official recognition they have rightly received.

“Leanne, Samantha, Annalise and Nikki are already roundly respected and recognised for not only the contribution they make to our business success but for the leadership which they show in empowering their colleagues to be the best they can be, to being champions of diversity and equality and to helping us drive a culture of diversity which benefits every team member across the UK and Ireland.”

Lookers Chief Executive Officer, Mark Raban, a patron of the Automotive 30% Club, said:

“The automotive retail industry is changing fast, and Lookers, where our people are our greatest asset, is proud to be creating a more gender-balanced, contented workplace that accurately meets the needs of our business and our people.  

“Lookers is a proud member and supporter of the Automotive 30% Club, which aims to have at least 30 percent of senior leadership positions in the automotive industry filled by women by 2030, and we’re making progress towards realising this ambition.

“Our newest group of inspiring women leaders who have been recognised for their contribution at this year’s awards are a real testament to what is being achieved and I’m hugely grateful for their incredible and inspiring contribution.”

With a team of more than 6,500 employees, Lookers is one of the largest multi-franchise dealer groups in the UK and Ireland, representing 33 volume and premium car manufacturers across a network of over 150 franchised locations.