It was a successful evening for Mazda at the inaugural Motor Trader Women in Motor Industry Awards, with MMUK Sales Director, Laura Brailey taking the OEM Leader Award and Carina Hall from Mazda Financial Services winning the Financial Services Rising Star Award.
Organised by leading industry title Motor Trader Magazine, this new inspiring awards event was created to spotlight female talent in the motor industry and honour achievement, innovation and the leadership shaping the future of automotive. Winners were chosen across 40 categories by an independent panel of 28 industry judges.
Laura Brailey
The judges praised Laura for being a strong, people-centric sales director at Mazda UK, commenting: “pioneering gender diversity across the dealer network and within her team. She is an inspiring female leader, mentoring others and actively working to ensure accessible career pathways in sales.”
Carina Hall
Also claiming an award was Carina Hall, from Mazda Financial Services who took the Financial Services Rising Star Award. Commenting on the awards, Mazda Motors UK, Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson, said: “It’s fantastic to see Laura’s leadership recognised at an industry level, especially because the qualities being celebrated are exactly those that make such a difference within Mazda every day. I congratulate and thank her for the example she sets and for the momentum she creates around the business, likewise it’s great to see Carina acknowledged for her work with Mazda Financial Services.”
After collecting her award last week at an inspiring awards evening held in London, Laura Brailey, said: “I’m immensely proud to have been given this award both personally and as recognition for Mazda. The support and encouragement I have had from my colleagues at Mazda has influenced me hugely and quite simply I owe this award to them. This inaugural event is truly inspiring, highlighting the celebration of many women across the motor industry who are driving positive change and helping create more opportunities for women in the automotive sector”.
“2026. The biggest year for Mazda in the UK since 1969?” says Mazda Motors UK, Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson
For those that don’t know, after two years as an importer, 1969 saw Mazda officially launched in the UK market at the British Motor Show. I think this year is just as significant.
This year represents a significant step forward for our brand and sees three models launched in a single calendar year. That’s never happened before.
On the one hand, we’ve got the refresh of an iconic UK model, the CX-5. Having sold over 100,000 units already, it’s going to play a critical role in our range for years to come, cementing our commitment to giving our customers choice over the cars they drive. It’s a model well received by local and new customers alike, and a favourite of our team here in the UK.
On the other, two fully electric launches. The Mazda6e and the Mazda CX-6e. These represent a new era of Mazda as we continue to evolve our brand into the electric era. Both models embody our belief that EVs must remain human centric, combining craftsmanship, driving pleasure, and comfort.
For the average UK customer, electrification is still dawning. These launches represent our broader approach to meeting customer demands over the next few years. Not one solution, but many, guided by what drivers need most.
