GKN : HR Director named as leading female in the global car industry

GKN Group HR Director Monique Carter has been recognised as one of the most influential British women in the global automotive industry.

Autocar, the largest UK weekly car title, has identified the top 100 British women working in the automotive sector as it seeks to celebrate the role of women in the industry and to address the challenges they face. Monique topped the human resources category.

Monique joined GKN in 2014, taking responsibility for HR within GKN Driveline, before being promoted to group HR Director in January this year. She is now is a member of the GKN Executive Committee.

Monique graduated in 1995 with a degree in business and psychology from the University of Luton and went on to receive a postgraduate HR qualification from the University of East Anglia. Before she moved to GKN she was HR Director at the chemicals division of the paints and chemicals manufacturer AkzoNobel.

Monique is passionate about the need to have more women in the industry. She says: 'Women have an influence on around 80% of car choices, and make around 50% of car-buying decisions themselves,' she says. 'If we want to satisfy our end customers, it makes good sense to have more women in our business.'

She attributes her success to sponsorship from senior management and to her people skills, which have helped her to flourish within a male-dominated business. 'I think my strength is in figuring out people, understanding human nature and what makes individuals tick. I am delighted to have won this award and am committed to working hard to attract more women to join this exciting industry.'