CFO Rachel Stokes has a strong track-record of developing inclusive teams and is committed to championing diversity and equality to support the needs of the business.

Stokes is a driving force of LKQ’s diversity equality and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives at LKQ, following similar experience as CFO for electrics company Ricoh Northern Europe and Finance Director for telecommunications group BT’s Public Sector and Major Accounts.

Rachel Stokes, Chief Financial Officer at LKQ UK & Ireland, said: “The barriers that women have faced in traditionally male dominated fields – be that finance, automotive, electronics or something else entirely – are encouragingly being broken down. However, that’s not to say that we’re out of the woods just yet. 

“It’s a real privilege to become a patron of the Automotive 30% Club and work alongside like-minded peers to help increase female representation in the sector. By working together, we can empower more women to thrive in their careers, reshape perceptions of the automotive industry and enhance the experience we deliver to our customers.

“At LKQ Euro Car Parts, supporting female colleagues and customers is a key part of building a more inclusive and forward-thinking automotive industry. Through a range of initiatives and partnerships, we continue to champion gender diversity and equality across our operations.”

Guided by its Colleague Promise, LKQ UK&I is committed to creating a fair and inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, empowered and proud to be part of the team. This commitment is backed by family-friendly policies, targeted training programmes and a culture shaped by regular feedback and engagement from colleagues.

One such example is its ‘People Adding Value Everywhere’ (PAVE) initiative, a network of ambassadors dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the business. 

Rachel added: “While there’s always more to learn, the progress being made is clear. Together with colleagues, customers and members of the wider automotive industry, I look forward to helping shape a more inclusive and supportive future for the sector.”