IMI becomes Automotive 30% Club sponsor

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has become the key sponsor of the Automotive 30% Club for 2023/24.

The Club was founded in 2016 with the purpose of encouraging inclusive leadership and achieving a better gender balance within the industry. This new sponsorship supports its aim of creating forums for showcasing and sharing best practice within its member companies, as well as scaling up its membership.

Central to the new IMI sponsorship is the next Automotive 30% Club’s annual conference, scheduled to take place on the 16 of May, amplifying the successes and stories of winners. In addition, the winner of the 2024 Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year Award – launched by the Automotive 30% Club to recognise and celebrate the shining stars of the automotive industry irrespective of role or seniority – will be unveiled for the first time at the IMI’s own Annual Dinner in March 2024.

Lesley Woolley, COO of the IMI, said: “The skills gap faced by the automotive sector has been intensified by a crisis in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce. And the current and historical lack of diversity has undoubtedly contributed to the challenges.

“To overcome these issues, both the IMI and the 30% Club believe it is crucial to spotlight progress, facilitate debate and deliver the tools that will drive greater inclusivity. Intuitively it is the right thing to do, and we believe our combined resources will go a long way to educate, inform and rally the support of as many organisations as possible to enact change as quickly as possible.”

Julia Muir, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, added: “Following the fantastic work of their Diversity Task Force, the IMI has become a driving force for all forms of EDI across the sector, and so are the perfect strategic partner for the Club. Lesley Woolley is an amazing advocate and ambassador for increasing female representation and is a valued Patron of the Club. I look forward to collaborating further with Lesley and the IMI team to accelerate progress, so more automotive businesses reap the benefits of building high performing gender-balanced teams.”