Before being named an Autocar Driver of Change, Bergmeier was named an Exceptional Leader by JLR’s Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Network for her efforts to improve the recruitment, development and progression of black, African and Caribbean women within JLR. More recently, Bergmeier launched the Automotive Women and Allies scheme as a series of events that will focus on empowering women from across the industry to drive automotive forward.
The Drivers of Change judges also named five highly commended Drivers of Change who merit special commendation for all the work they are doing for DEI and driving change in the industry. They are:
Warren Richards, head of direct sales, Audi UK
Richards has played a pivotal role in supporting gender equality and fostering an inclusive culture at Volkswagen Group UK. He has consistently championed DEI efforts, co-ordinating teams, mentoring colleagues and advocating for minority groups.
His leadership has directly contributed to significant progress, with VW Group UK now hosting a 46% female workforce and achieving Inclusive Employers Standard Gold accreditation in 2023.
Jaskirat Singh, sustainability strategy and steering manager, BMW Group
A passionate advocate for inclusion since before his professional career even began, Singh has established himself as a cornerstone of the BMW Group UK’s DEI initiatives.
He has co-founded a mentoring programme for local schools, organised Black History Month events and worked to break the taboo around mental health in South Asian communities, hosting events with the MindsMatter network.
Singh is also co-chair of the Embrace DEI network group, and has led the production of a new ‘Unplugged’ video series, where he speaks with colleagues on sensitive topics.
Lisa Rowles, global HR strategy director, Horiba MIRA
Rowles is a key member of Horiba MIRA’s senior leadership team, helping to drive transformation in people and culture.
