At the esteemed Autocar Great Women 2024 event, six senior Renault Group UK personnel were honored for their contributions to the automotive industry, underscoring the significant strides the company has made in promoting gender diversity and leadership within its ranks. These key team members have been recognized among the Top 100 most influential women in the UK automotive sector, showcasing their expertise across various categories including Executive, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Talent, and Sales.
This notable event, organized in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), annually celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in the automotive industry. Notably, a majority of the Renault Group UK honorees have dedicated over two decades of service to the company, illustrating their deep commitment and impact on the business.
Among the distinguished honorees were Alice Altemaire, CEO of Mobilize Financial Services (RCI Bank); Nicola Burnside, Head of Alpine UK; Maxine Bonwick, HR Director; Elina Karppinen, Commercial & Marketing Director; Verity Mercer, Head of Customer Experience and Quality; and Lina Ribeiro, Head of Sales Operations for Renault UK. Each has made significant contributions to their fields, ranging from innovative financial services and dynamic marketing strategies to transformative human resources leadership and superior customer experience management.
Alice Altemaire, a trailblazer with over 20 years at Renault, now leads Mobilize Financial Services, having been pivotal in its UK launch and becoming one of the first female CEOs of a UK bank. Under her leadership, the company has been recognized as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™, including for women.
Maxine Bonwick has redefined HR at Renault Group UK since her appointment three years ago, doubling the number of women in senior roles to 24% and increasing overall female representation to 40%. Her efforts include introducing a refreshed leadership team and fostering a culture of inclusion and engagement.
Nicola Burnside, having recently taken the helm at Alpine UK, has utilized her extensive experience in automotive retail to drive substantial growth and deliver exceptional customer experiences, also fulfilling her personal dream of becoming a racing driver.
Elina Karppinen, promoted to Commercial & Marketing Director at Retail Renault Group, has nearly a decade of service in the UK and has been instrumental in devising and executing marketing strategies that have significantly enhanced the company’s market presence.
Verity Mercer, who began her career at Renault as a graduate, now leads the Customer Experience and Quality department, focusing on delivering outstanding service during a transformative period for the automotive industry.
Finally, Lina Ribeiro, with over two decades at Renault Group UK, now oversees New Car Sales operations, significantly contributing to Renault’s growth in the UK market, including achieving record levels in LCV sales.
Guillaume Sicard, Country Head UK & Managing Director Renault Brand UK, praised the achievements, emphasizing the importance of recognizing such talent to foster an inclusive and desirable workplace in the automotive sector.
