MINI Plant Oxford female engineers named among top-100 British women in global car industry

Two female engineers from MINI Plant Oxford have secured national recognition after they landed a top industry award from leading automotive magazine Autocar.

Philippa Napier and Rachel Neary have been named in the ‘Rising Stars’ category of the ‘Great British Women in the Car Industry’ initiative, which is run by Autocar in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The awards identify the top 100 British women working in the automotive sector as part of a push to celebrate the role of women in the industry and to address the challenges they face. The ‘Rising Stars’ category recognises a group of 10 young females who are ‘making their mark on the industry and blazing a trail for more to follow.’

Philippa, 22, from Thame in Oxfordshire, is a final-year engineering technician apprentice at MINI Plant Oxford. She has had a passion for cars since a young age and achieved her ambition to enter the automotive profession following a stint of work experience at the plant.

This led on to her winning a place on the company’s apprenticeship scheme, which has included taking a foundation degree in electrical and electronic engineering. Following her graduation Philippa will start her manufacturing career as a quality parts manager, which will see her supporting all quality related functions throughout the product’s lifecycle on the plant.

Philippa said: “It’s really rewarding to be recognised in this way and so I’m delighted to have made the list. Initiatives like this are so important in raising awareness of female achievement in our industry and getting more of us to consider a career in engineering.

“I’ve been a petrol head since a young age and always knew I wanted to work in the automotive industry. Originally I was going to go to university straight after sixth form, but after a successful work experience at MINI I realized that the best route for my career would be to get into the car industry via an apprenticeship. This offered me work experience as well as furthering my education.”

Rachel Neary, 25, from Liverpool, joined the plant as part of the BMW Group’s graduate scheme back in 2013 after securing a first class Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Liverpool.

She has already held roles at the Research and Innovation Centre in Munich and at Werk Leipzig, one of the BMW Group’s most progressive plants and home of electric BMW i car production.

In Oxford, Rachel is now part of MINI’s production steering team, which manages the transformation of sheet metal to painted body.

Rachel said: “I’m really excited and proud to be named in the Autocar Rising Stars list - it is a brilliant motivator to be recognised in such a way at the start of my career. It’s always been my ambition to be involved in the automotive industry and I’ve long been fascinated with cars, how they work and how they’re made.

“Completing my physics degree and a student placement with another major car manufacturer gave me the knowledge and passion to go on and pursue my dream of a career with BMW. My aim for the future is to progress within the industry and to be at the forefront of developing the future of mobility. It’s great to see more women than ever within the automotive industry and to see such achievements celebrated and encouraged.”

Frank Bachmann, MINI Plant Oxford Managing Director, said: “Everyone on the plant is really proud of what Rachel and Philippa have achieved. I believe they both have very bright futures ahead of them and that their stories can play a part in encouraging more young women into automotive manufacturing careers.”

BMW Group UK is passionate about getting more females into the industry. As well as apprenticeship opportunities, each year the company runs a unique scheme for young women to get the chance to follow MINI production from body panels and engine building, to a completed car rolling off the line as part of its ‘Girls Go Technical’ programme.

The programme is an exciting opportunity for young women aged 15-24 to experience the day to day challenges encountered by our engineers and technical apprentices in our state-of-the-art, world class plants in Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall.

Four days are spent at the heart of our manufacturing operations to gain an in-depth awareness of manufacturing and engineering processes, an insight into the range of careers available, including technical roles, as well as the chance to enhance interview and job application skills.

Applications for February 2017 Girls Go Technical placements will open in the Autumn.

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group had a workforce of 122,244 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com