Linda Jackson, the head of Citroen, has been recognised as the most influential British woman in the car industry.

Linda Jackson, Citroën’s global Chief Executive, has been recognised as “the most influential British woman in the car industry”. 

Working in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Autocar identified the top 100 British women working in the automotive sector as a celebration of their achievements and the challenges they face. 

A panel of judges acknowledged Linda’s influential leadership of the iconic French brand, which has seen Citroën go back to its roots of innovation and bold design.

Citroën’s CEO, Linda Jackson, has been named as “the most influential British woman in the car industry” in an initiative by the UK’s longest-standing weekly motoring title, Autocar.

A panel of judges, which included experts from Autocar and the SMMT, awarded Linda with the honour for her decisive leadership of Citroën, during a period that has seen the French manufacturer return to its roots of innovation and unique design.

Linda is not only the first British CEO of the French automotive brand, she is also the first ever woman to hold the role.

The Autocar Great British Women in the Car Industry initiative identified the top 100 British women working in the automotive sector to celebrate the role of women in the industry and address the challenges they face.

Linda Jackson commented; “It is such an honour to receive this award and to be recognised by Autocar in this way. At Citroën, our motto is ‘be different, feel good’ and I believe this award is testimony to the hard work and creativity of everyone in the team. I hope this Autocar initiative inspires women to pursue a career in the automotive industry. As the list of winners shows, there is a wealth of talent in the sector and it is a very exciting industry to be a part of.”  

Autocar Editorial Director, Jim Holder, said; “The achievements of those on our list of 100 outstanding British women in the global car industry are breathtaking and a testimony to the breadth of skills and capability in the sector.

“We recognise that challenges exist in the industry we love, which may deter women from pursuing an automotive career, as well as the implications that the under-representation of women could pose for the future of the industry. This is something that needs to be rectified.

By highlighting the achievements of great British women who continue to make a considerable impact on the global automotive landscape, we hope to stimulate interest in what is an exciting and rewarding sector in which to work.”

A judging day, held jointly with the SMMT, also recognised the exceptional work being done across a series of categories: Executive, Design, Product Development, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Communications, Sales, Marketing, Motorsport, HR and Rising Stars. As well as the overall honour, Linda also scooped the top prize in the Executive category.