In the words of the IMI, nominations for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award came from individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to championing diversity in the automotive community. The award seeks to highlight individuals and organisations that have gone the extra mile in their efforts to support people of varying lived experiences, truly playing their part in making automotive a more diverse and inclusive industry.

In what some might regard as a traditional male industry, Volkswagen Group UK works in particular with five Employee Network Groups; Driven Women, Cultural Diversity, We Drive Proud (LGBTQ+), Parents+Carers and Disability+Neurodiversity, to create a more equal workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.

The Company also engages externally through sponsoring and contributing to programmes such as the Automotive 30% Club, being Disability Confident committed, members of the Business Disability Forum membership and as the first automotive company to be recognised by Inclusive Employers with a Silver EDI accreditation among other collaborative efforts.

Commenting on the award, Volkswagen Group UK’s Managing Director Alex Smith paid tribute to the Employee Network Groups that form the core of the diversity and inclusion initiatives alongside the continuing hard work of the People Team and his colleagues on the Board of Management. “I hugely welcome this award as a recognition of the hard work that has been invested over many years. Our industry is transforming into a world of electrified, digital and connected vehicles encompassing new ways of engaging with our customers throughout their digital journey. It’s the people who make up our company that will continue to make the difference for our future success and, while there is always more we can do, this award shows us that we are clearly on the right track. Congratulations to the teams and thank you to the IMI for the recognition.”

Penny Weatherup, People Director Volkswagen Group UK, added: “I’m so very proud that Volkswagen Group UK Limited is the winner of the award. Congratulations also to Jardine Motors and Arnold Clark for being shortlisted  – we are all winners for championing the cause of improving diversity and inclusion in our organisations. 

“My heartfelt thanks go to all the passionate and dedicated members of our Employee Network Groups and my People Team who have contributed tirelessly to raising the awareness and importance of diversity and inclusion. I’m very proud to be part of an organisation that promotes an environment where everyone can be themselves.”

Main Image Caption: Penny Weatherup and Aman Sidhu accepting the award from the IMI with Nina Hossain, Broadcaster and ITN host officiating, and Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, and guests.

About Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

The IMI is the professional body for individuals working in the motor industry. The IMI are also the governing body for the IMI Professional Register, IMI Qualifications and Accreditations.

https://tide.theimi.org.uk/

About the Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group, with its headquarters in Wolfsburg, is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises ten brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The passenger car portfolio ranges from small cars all the way to luxury-class vehicles. Ducati offers motorcycles. Every weekday, 675.800 employees around the globe produce on average 40,000 vehicles, are involved in vehicle-related services or work in other areas of business. The Volkswagen Group sells its vehicles in 153 countries.

With its “NEW AUTO - Mobility for Generations to Come” Group strategy and future program, the Volkswagen Group is paving the way for the biggest change process in its history: the realignment of one of the best carmakers to become a globally leading provider of sustainable mobility. To achieve that, the Group will be transforming its automotive core business, and will among other things be launching a further 30-plus fully electric cars by 2025, as well as expanding battery technology and autonomous driving as new core competences.

In 2022, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 8.3 million (2021: 8.9 million). Group sales revenue in 2022 totaled EUR 279.2 billion (2021: EUR 250.2 billion). Earnings after tax in fiscal year 2022 amounted to EUR 15.8 billion (2021: EUR 15.4 billion).

Committed to becoming CO2 balance sheet neutral by 2050, the Volkswagen Group is investing €180bn over the next 5 years of which 68 percent is planned for electrification and digitalisation, with over 70 all electric vehicles planned to be in the market by 2030.

Volkswagen Group United Kingdom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, and is the importer of Audi, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA cars as well as Volkswagen passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The company directly employs over 900 people in the UK, and approximately 25,000 more are employed in the retail networks, logistics operations and with Financial Services.

In 2022 the Group registered 324,437 cars, achieving a market share of 20.1%, plus a further 31,272 vans and pick-ups, through our network of over 600 retailers with Volkswagen as the UK number one brand, and Audi number three.

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/life.html

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