IMI announces Automotive 30% Club sponsorship
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced it is sponsoring the Automotive 30% Club’s Inspiration for Innovation Network.
Lesley Woolley, chief operating officer of the IMI, has also become a patron of the club, which aims to fill at least 30% of key leadership positions in its member organisations with women by 2030.
The Inspiration for Innovation Network is a group of volunteers from the member companies of the Automotive 30% Club, and a collection of schools, universities and special interest groups who come together to address gender imbalance in the automotive sector and inspire girls and women to join the industry.
Importantly, the volunteers are from right across the spectrum from workshop to boardroom, apprentice to director, showcasing the career paths available to women. Digital media will also be available including ‘Essential Skills’ episodes and ‘Career Conversation’ films which will highlight the vast range of competences required by and the inspiring women already in the industry.
The Automotive 30% Club was founded by CEO Julia Muir.
She said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Lesley Woolley as a patron, and the IMI as the new sponsor of the Automotive 30% Club Inspiration for Innovation Network. The funding will enable us to mobilise a highly committed network of volunteers from within our member companies who will not only inspire girls and women, but also showcase to boys the strong female role models already playing a critical role in the growth of our industry.
“It will also amplify the impact we achieve by enabling us to help member companies to implement their own schools engagement strategies.”
Woolley said: “The lack of diversity that currently exists in the motor industry is a significant contributory factor in the challenges it faces in recruitment and retention of a highly skilled workforce. Throughout my career I have championed initiatives that empower personal development for anyone working in the sector. So I am tremendously excited to become a patron of the Automotive 30% Club and, in particular, be involved in the Inspiration for Innovation Network.”
