Winners 2016

Baker is responsible for every aspect of Bentley’s global media communications, from news and social media to product launches, motor show press conferences and bespoke events. She joined the luxury marque in 2012 from Porsche, where she had been head of UK PR since 2008, having previously held the top PR job at Volvo UK. She studied public relations at Bournemouth University, graduating in 1998.

Finn oversees the promotions for Europe’s largest dealer group, Pendragon PLC, from online campaigns to PR and special events. She primarily focuses on the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands, but also looks after the company’s fleet management business and its Quickco car parts division. After graduating from Loughborough University, Finn started at Pendragon in 2006 and has risen through the ranks in its marketing communications department, taking up her current position in 2014.

Hepton is in charge of Bentley’s government lobbying and for the firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). She came to the luxury brand in 2013 from Shell, where she held a number of roles, including head of UK media relations, from 2006, and has previously worked as manager of corporate and government affairs for Toyota Europe. Hepton holds a Masters Degree in history from the University of Liverpool and is the north west regional board member for the Confederation of British Industries (CBI).

Neal is responsible for advancing Nissan’s causes within European governments, including the promotion of the company’s electric vehicles to policy makers in the region. She has spent several years building strong relationships within the UK parliament, many of them made while she was government affairs manager at Virgin Atlantic and through her experience as a parliamentary researcher. Neal has worked for Nissan for nearly six years, having joined as a UK external affairs manager in 2010. She has a degree in history and an MA in war studies. She has just been promoted from government and external affairs manager, Europe, to leadership and strategy manager, Europe.

Raghavachari leads the creative, media, events and analytics teams within Ford of Europe and shapes Ford’s brand communications strategy across the company’s 21 markets. She came to the role from product management, having worked on models such as the original Ka and StreetKa and led the European launch of the new Mustang.

Rooke’s job in shaping Volvo’s UK communication strategy has become increasingly important as the resurgent Swedish brand rolls out its new range of models, including the acclaimed new-generation XC90 SUV. She joined Volvo in 2012 from her previous position as head of communications for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), where she worked for four years. Prior to that she worked as senior communications manager for the global motorsport series A1GP. Rooke started her career in 2002, working in PR at the SMMT, which she joined after gaining a history degree from the University of East Anglia.

As head of PR for a car manufacturer whose 2015 sales figures make it the 10th largest in the UK, Waddington holds a powerful position. She made her mark in the industry with her previous employer, Jaguar Land Rover, where she spent seven years in various roles within its public affairs teams. She took up her current position in 2011, heading up a team of five while reporting directly to Hyundai’s UK CEO. Waddington has a degree in history from Cardiff University.