The awards celebrate women who help women to join, progress and remain in the sector. They recognise the critical role women can play in helping companies to build inclusive cultures, increase female representation and reap the benefits of a gender-balanced business. This year the club received 279 nominations from 34 UK businesses.

Shepherd, who has been at Toyota (GB) (TGB) since 1999, was honoured by the award judges for her collaborative and consultative approach to developing people, including devoting time to personally coach and support individuals.  She plays a leading role in driving the company’s development as a first-class employer with an inclusive culture and a considerate, caring environment. She has worked on many initiatives to further the careers of women at TGB, including the introduction of a ‘women on the verge of brilliance’ development programme and policy development in areas such as menopause.

Rachel Shepherd said: “I am really grateful that my colleagues took the time to nominate me for this award. It’s very humbling to win an Inspiring Women Award, particularly when I am continually inspired by all the great women we have at TGB, and their achievements.”

Agustín Martín, Toyota (GB) President and Managing Director, commented: “The 30% Club Inspiring Women Awards are an important opportunity to recognise and showcase the great women we have in our industry and to help attract further talent to our business. They illustrate how people are inspired in different ways, with many of our nominees not realising the amazing impact they have on others and the role models they have become. Rachel’s win is very well-deserved, but we are also very proud to see that 12 TGB women were nominated this year, for reasons such as advocacy for women, mentoring and coaching, leadership, passion and resilience.”

Julia Muir, Founder of the Automotive 30% Club, commented:“Our 2022 Automotive 30% Club Inspiring Automotive Women Award Winners are an amazing group who have not only made a great contribution to the success of the business in their day job, but have also been fabulous role models to colleagues. They are lifting and motivating others as they have risen in their careers. As wonderful ambassadors and advocates for the sector, they have inspired the next generation of women to join the automotive industry and have promoted their companies as inclusive employers of choice.”