Barbara Cox Awards
2025 nominees:
Amy Lancaster-Hall CMkt
Brief biography of you and your career
I am an award-winning Chartered Marketer celebrating two decades of experience in the automotive industry this year. After starting my career after A-levels in 1997, I quickly progressed from Export Administration Assistant to PA to the Managing Director, who mentored her to become the marketing professional I am today.
I gained my CIM qualifications while working full-time, and in 2005, joined Bowker Motor Group as their first Marketing Executive.
Now Group Marketing Manager, I lead strategy across premium franchises including BMW, MINI, Porsche, and BMW Motorrad. I have delivered standout campaigns that have earned national and international recognition.
I also became the first marketing professional to be invited join the MINI UK Sales Forum in 2024 – a role traditionally held by senior sales leaders – offering a fresh, creative voice on national retail strategy.
What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in automotive?
Don’t underestimate the value of your voice in this industry. Automotive has long been male-dominated – but change is happening, and there’s a real need for more women to be part of that shift. Whether you’re analytical, creative, technical, or people-focused, there’s a space for you here – and it’s growing.
I didn’t take the traditional university route. I worked, learned on the job, and earned my qualifications while navigating the real world. My career has included everything from launching a Porsche Centre from the ground up, to leading global award-winning campaigns with a team of just a few.
This has taught me that you don’t need to tick every box to make a difference. Trust your instincts. Be good. Be kind. Work hard and be curious. And don’t be afraid to lead in your own way – especially if that looks different to what’s gone before.
And if you’re in a position to lift someone else – do it. Mentoring and empowering others is one of the best things you can do, for them and for the industry.
What advice would you give your younger self on having a successful career?
Own your difference. I didn’t realise I was neurodiverse until my son was diagnosed with dyslexia 7 years ago – and suddenly, a lot of things made sense. What I once saw as quiet personal struggles – with confidence and self-esteem – I now understand has given me a power for creativity, lateral thinking, and leading with empathy.
Looking back, I’d tell myself not to try so hard to fit in. You do your best work when you bring your full self to the table. I’d also remind myself that success isn’t measured in job titles or trophies (although I’m proud of those too) – it’s in the team you build, the culture you create, and the people who grow because you back them.
The traditional values I was raised with – hard work, kindness, resilience – still guide me now. Treat everyone you meet with respect – whatever their job title. Surround yourself with people who make you better. And never stop learning – especially from the younger generation. The Marketing Industry is moving fast, and staying humble enough to keep learning has been one of the best decisions of my career.
