Winners 2022

People Development 2022

Clare Wright sits on the franchise board of this dealer group where she is responsible for the firm’s 2700 staff in 50 locations in the UK, as well as the overall HR strategy. She has had the tough job in recent years cutting staffing levels from around 3600 to the current total as the company rightsized to face the challenges faced but all in the motor industry. She joined in 2015 after moving from the role of global vice president for HR for software provider eFront, but had started out working in a VW/Audi dealership, from which she moved into HR after gaining her Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualification.

People Development 2022 nominees

Sharon Ashcroft

Sharon Ashcroft has lead the HR role at the sizeable Ford-owned dealer group since 2013, having joined the group in 2005 as human resources manager. Her task is not a small one given Trust Ford operates 61 dealerships in the UK, as well as 14 parts sites.

Marion Berlier

Marion Berlier’s UK-based role is to oversee Talent Management, Learning and Development, Engagement and culture in Nissan’s Africa, Middle East, Europe and Oceania region. Prior to gaining this role in 2021, Berlier was HR Business partner for R&D, purchase and Total Customer satisfaction for Europe, as well as HR director at Nissan’s technical centre in Cranfield. She came to Nissan from Lego in 2018, which she joined in 2009 in the UK and rose to the position of senior HR director.

Mandeep Dhatt

Mandeep Dhatt joined McLaren in 2013 as HR business partner, rose to head of HR operations in 2015 and the following year was promoted to her current title overseeing all aspects of staffing at the Woking-based sportscar maker. Prior to the automotive business she worked at engineer consultancy Mouchel in London as HR business partner. She holds an MA in human resource management from Kingston University.Rachael Edwards is Mercedes’ HR representative at board level in the UK, a job she has held since 2014. She was hired by the company back in 2009 from Woolworths, where she joined out of university and rose to the title of divisional HR manager. Edwards graduated from the University of Derby in 2002 with a degree in human resources management.

Rachael Edwards

Rachael Edwards is Mercedes’ HR representative at board level in the UK, a job she has held since 2014. She was hired by the company back in 2009 from Woolworths, where she joined out of university and rose to the title of divisional HR manager. Edwards graduated from the University of Derby in 2002 with a degree in human resources management.

Mariam Khalifa

Mariam Khalifa is responsible for the People team within Tesla’s European region, including Middle East and Africa, a big role given Tesla has a greater number of employees than equivalent car makers due to its direct sales model, as well as its significant growth during her time with the company. She joined the company and Tesla’s mission to accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy in 2017 as Senior HR Business Partner from heritage British brand Burberry and successfully progressed within Tesla during her tenure to reach her current position as Director, People EMEA in 2021.

Jo Moxon

Jo Moxon moved to the Marshalls Motor Group to lead the HR & HSE functions late in 2019. Prior to this Jo lead the HR function at Pendragon since 2017. Moxon moved to the Automotive Retail sector after enjoying a successful career predominantly in the financial and insurance services industry with Barclays, Egg and Welcome Financial Services and BGL where she was HR Director. She has a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management from Sheffield Hallam University. Her passion drives her success in helping organisation’s realise the potential of its workforce.

Lisa Rowles

Lisa Rowles heads up the HR Group of the automotive engineering, research and test services company. Lisa joined in 1995 as a recruitment consultant and HR professional and has risen through the ranks to take on broader responsibility, including security for company’s sites and strategic and global HR functions. Lisa set up MIRA Academy for training in 2013 and is a founding Board member of MIRA Technology Institute.

Jane Skerry

Jane Skerry is the HR lead for Ford’s commercial vehicles unit across Europe, giving her responsibility for the welfare, career progression and staffing of one of Ford’s biggest divisions globally. She moved to a European role following nearly four years as head of HR for Ford of Britain from 2014. Previous roles saw her gaining experience within employee relations, skills development, benefits and compensation. She studied Economics at Leeds University.

Penny Weatherup

Penny Weatherup joined Volkswagen Group UK’s board in 2016 as human resources director after starting at the company 2007 as an HR business partner. Burnett has oversees the staffing strategy for the VW Group’s five combined brands in the UK. Before moving to VW, Burnett worked at UK intellectual property firm Barker Brettell and insurance firm AXA.

Helen Ward

Helen Ward has the overall HR responsibility across the sales companies in the UK and Ireland. This includes BMW UK, the fully owned retail operation in Park Lane, financial services and the fleet arm Alphabet. She reports to the Head of HR Europe at BMW Group based in Germany. Of her 28-year experience in HR, over 20 of those have been spent working at BMW after moving there in 2001 to work for the financial services division.