Winners 2025

In a remarkable 21-year career at BMW Financial Services, Vicki Bovington has progressed from underwriting administrator to her current role of leading a 90-person team across seven specialised functions. Her extensive responsibilities include process management, quality assurance and the entire change project portfolio. She has established the UK as the second largest market for robotic process automation within the BMW Group, maintained BSI accreditation and created one of the largest continuous process improvement communities in the company. Following the 2023 operational merger of BMW's B2C and B2B financial services, she skilfully restructured her expanded department while establishing crucial collaborative frameworks. Jemma Gregory, director of customer strategy communications at BMW, said: "Vicki's accelerating career is testament to her business understanding, her skillset and her people skills. No matter how big the challenge, Vicki remains calm, constructive and resourceful."

Emma Davis has established herself as a vital strategic leader within Cosworth since joining as financial controller for the firm’s electronics division in 2023. With 11 years of finance experience across a number of sector-leading businesses and a CIMA qualification, she brings robust commercial expertise to the senior management team. Her career progressed from a scientific background through food company G's Group management scheme to leading finance for their £230 million turnover division, followed by heading finance operations for a renewable energy finance provider with £400m in invested funds. At Cosworth, Davis has transformed purchasing processes, budget planning and reporting by implementing innovative automation that drives quality data collection and detailed forecasting. Her line manager said: "In the dynamic world of motorsport, change is the only constant. Emma has embraced that challenge and provides data that is understood across the company."

Rachel Harrison has built an impressive career spanning JLR, Dyson and now the Volkswagen Group UK, where she leads the finished vehicle supply chain for six brands. With a BA in finance and business and a CILT Level 5 diploma in logistics and transport, she manages the distribution of more than 500,000 vehicles annually and oversees a team of four directly and hundreds indirectly through the supply base. Harrison has successfully navigated numerous logistical crises, nurtured damaged supplier relationships post-Covid and driven multimillion-pound efficiencies. Beyond her operational responsibilities, she co-chairs the Driven Women Employee Network Group and serves as a trained DE&I champion. Volkswagen Group UK head of vehicle operations Andy Williams said she “consistently makes a vital contribution to the business".

Rapidly progressing from vehicle administration to divisional leadership, Charlotte Mills has gained comprehensive experience across automotive retail operations. After roles at Inchcape and Pendragon, she joined Vertu Motors in September 2023 as assistant divisional finance director and was promoted to divisional finance director within just 10 months. With a first-class BSc in accounting from the University of York and a CIMA qualification, Mills has transformed the Hyundai division’s financial operations by establishing a centralised accounting function, creating a comprehensive new car tracker and designing an operational review process incorporating HR, marketing and F&I data. She has built a team of accountants across the UK and improved manufacturer reporting on KPIs. Currently participating in the senior finance development programme, Mills aims to take on a more challenging role with additional franchises and a larger division.

Joining Ford Credit Europe Bank in 2017 as a finance graduate, Linh Vu rapidly advanced via a senior analyst role in financial reporting to liquidity manager, before her January 2025 promotion to assistant treasurer. She has transformed treasury operations by leading the LMM (lower middle market) system launch for automated regulatory reporting, developing an interest rate risk playbook and driving data strategy transformation. Vu, who has first-class BSc and MSc economics degrees from Royal Holloway, reduced ALCO (Asset-Liability Committee) reporting time by six hours monthly while successfully completing her CIMA qualification. 

"Linh's dedication, strategic thinking and high standards have driven impactful change,” her line manager, Emma Hill, wrote in her nomination. “Her ability to collaborate effectively and proactively solve problems has significantly strengthened treasury's success.”

Before joining Aston Martin in 2022, Georgina Nielsen had already built an impressive procurement career across fashion, manufacturing, construction, railway and automotive sectors. She currently manages all dealership aftermarket entries and special projects procurement. Last year, she expanded her role to include aftermarket accessories buying, contributing nearly one-fifth of overall aftermarket revenue. A key driver of company cost-saving initiatives, Nielsen also co-chairs the ‘I AM Well’ strand of Aston’s EDI network, organising value-building and charity-based activities. Her expertise spans both indirect and direct procurement, complemented by her internal auditor qualifications, as well as her degree in buying from UAL and senior negotiator certification. "Georgina is a key contributor to both procurement targets and our company,” according to her nomination.

Sharon Townsend has dedicated more than 25 years to Mitsubishi Motors, progressing through various roles in customer service, product planning, press relations, vehicle logistics and operations before becoming head of International Motors Mitsubishi Aftersales Parts and Service (IM MAPS), where the focus is on aftersales following Mitsubishi’s exit from the UK in 2021. In her role, she manages the nationwide aftersales network, supporting parts, warranty, technical help and customer retention programmes. Her leadership has kept parts sales strong and remarkably increased the UK service centre network beyond pre-2021 levels. Her team's excellence was recognised with Mitsubishi Motors Europe's 'Parts and Accessories Excellence 2024' award, establishing their initiatives as industry benchmarks. "Sharon's strategic vision and commitment to service excellence have sustained Mitsubishi's aftermarket business during challenging market conditions,” her nomination said.