Helen Evans, Amy Druce and Annie Sekulla from Mini Plant Oxford secured national recognition as part of Autocar magazine’s ‘Great British Women in the Car Industry’ initiative, which was run in partnership with the Society
of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to identify and promote the automotive sector’s most promising female rising stars and highlight the career opportunities available to them.

The three were among the top 100 selected from a range of different areas in the industry, including vehicle development, manufacturing, purchasing, retail, marketing, communications, apprentices, human resources and design.

The news comes as applications for BMW Group’s ‘Girls Go Technical’ scheme (for females considering a technical apprenticeship within the manufacturing industry) open for placements during the UK’s October half-term.

Ms Evans made the switch from politicsand international relations, which she studied at Oxford Brookes University, to a career in engineering after joining the BMW Group Apprenticeship scheme (shortly after graduating in 2015).

She is now studying for a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. Her current department at Mini Plant Oxford is responsible for organising the implementation of new parts and vehicles into the plant.

Ms Druce joined the Mini assembly line in 2003 and progressed up the ranks to become the first female Lead Associate. She is now a Process Leader responsible for Mini underbody, exhaust, front-end fit and other engine bay components, and she oversees a team of more than 40 associates on a day-to-day basis.

She is currently enrolled on BMW’s ‘ProLead’ (leadership and management) initiative.

Ms Sekulla joined the plant as an apprentice in 2008; since then, she has gained a BSc in Electric Engineering. Today, she works as a dimensional control analyst in the metrology team, undertaking detailed measurements of
everything from finished vehicles to a single part from a car.

She said: “I actually find it a great experience, being a woman working in the car-manufacturing industry. It’s important not to get too hung up on gender, when considering what you want to do when you’re starting out in life; what matters most is whether you have the skills and the drive to do the job.”

Frank Bachmann, managing director of Mini Plant Oxford, said: “I’m incredibly proud on behalf of the whole Mini Plant Oxford team to see Amy, Annie and Helen on this prestigious industry list.

“It’s a fantastic honour for them, and I know they all have extremely bright futures ahead of them.”

Further details of the ‘Girls Go Technical’ programme can be found at the Web site (bmwgroup.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/search/100899).