Wantage: OBE for Williams commercial director

Claire Williams, deputy team principal and commercial director at Williams Group, has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours List in recognition of her services to Formula One.

She has been instrumental in the successful restructuring of the Williams Group over the past three years during which it has successfully diversified through the continued growth of Williams Advanced Engineering, with the racing team returning to the front of the grid in Formula One, moving from ninth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2013 to third place in 2014 and 2015.

Since becoming deputy team principal, she has used her position as a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry to encourage more women to consider careers in engineering and technology. In addition, she has recently been appointed vice president of the Spinal Injuries Association. 

Williams commented: “To be able to play a role in a family legacy is an enormous privilege and one I don’t take for granted. Formula One, and Williams, are great success stories for the UK and I will continue to use my role to help showcase what a great sport Formula One is, what a brilliant platform for this country’s expertise in high class engineering it is, and what an example Williams is in welcoming women across all of its disciplines.”