A DEVON woman has received one of the most prestigious awards in the automotive industry.
Alena Woolacott, from North Tawton, was honoured by the Automotive 30 per cent Club on Wednesday, March 13 where, during The Institute of the Motor Industry Awards Dinner, she received her Inspiring Automotive Women Award.
The Finance Director for Fix Auto Mid Devon and Fix Auto Newton Abbot, Alena was one of just 17 recipients who gathered at the prestigious Hotel Intercontinental in Park Lane, London, to receive their awards in front of an influential audience spanning the automotive sector.
Alena is the first woman from within the Fix Auto UK network and one of only a handful from within the vehicle repair sector to receive the honour.
Her success followed a social media campaign called #WhoInspiresYou that saw hundreds entered nationwide, all nominated for being inspiring women.
During her citation, event organiser and Automotive 30 per cent Club founder Julia Muir heralded Alena as a true “trailblazer” and went into detail explaining the scores of major initiatives to help and support women in the workplace.
Shortly after receiving her award, Alena commented: “It was an extremely proud moment, not just for me, personally, but for all the inspiring ladies working tirelessly throughout Fix Auto UK, the vehicle repair sector and the automotive industry as a whole.”
Alena, who works at the Crediton office on Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, is one of the granddaughters of the company’s founder, Geoff Woolacott.