Cox Automotive seeks nominations of remarkable and innovative women for its coveted Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award 2023, which honours inspirational women in the European automotive industry.

Named after the late Barbara Cox, who served as director of Cox Enterprises, Cox Automotive’s parent company in the USA, the award aims to recognise and reward women who demonstrate a commitment to innovation, leadership, or community within the sector.

In addition to gaining recognition across the industry, the winner will also receive £5,000 to spend on her own personal development.

Now in its fifth year, Cox Automotive Europe has teamed up again with AM and Fleet News.

The 2022 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year award was presented to Caroline Burnell, head of marketing and communications at motor retailer eStar Truck & Van.

After leaving college, Burnell (centre in the above picture) spent nearly six years at a PR agency looking after Auto Trader and launching FordOnline.co.uk. She then moved to Mercedes-Benz’s busy press office before moving to Mercedes-Benz Vans UK. She has been in her current role  at eStar Truck & Van, the newest Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle franchise in the north-west of England, for over a year.

Caroline Burnell joined an impressive list of recognised females to win the award, including Alison Jones, senior vice-president – global circular economy at Stellantis; Lorna McAtear, fleet manager – global procurement at National Grid; and Beryl Carney, head of VW Commercial Vehicles at the AM100 dealer group JCT600.

The 2023 award is open to any woman working within the automotive industry across Europe. Nominations will be open from November 30 to the end of January 2023, and the winner will be announced on International Women’s Day on 8 March 2023.

Martin Forbes, president of Cox Automotive International, commented: “Inclusion, diversity, and equality are at the heart of our business. We thrive on what makes us different, celebrate each other’s unique abilities and perspectives, and recognise that individual experiences, backgrounds and skills help us to innovate, grow and improve.

The Barbara Cox “Woman of the Year” award is a longstanding initiative that promotes the advancement of women across the automotive industry, it recognises an outstanding female who has made significant advances to the automotive industry and inspires others to do the same.

"We are looking for a great leader that gives back to her community, just as Barbara Cox herself did. This award is very special and unlike any other in the sector.”

Nominations should be entered at this dedicated website.