Lookers Motor Group Franchise Director Karen Prince has been officially recognised in this year’s Autocar Great Women Awards 2026.
The Autocar Great Women Awards are an annual awards programme run by Autocar in association with the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) that recognise outstanding women in the automotive industry.
Securing the top award in the hotly contested Sales - Retail and Suppliers category, Karen was officially recognised for her longstanding career success and her commitment to delivering consistent growth and innovation across a variety of senior leadership roles.
First launched in 2016, the annual awards have become a major recognition programme within the UK automotive industry. This year's event held at the Stellantis UK headquarters in Coventry celebrated the achievements of the most influential women across the motoring sector.
Karen, who kickstarted her automotive career as a vehicle administrator in Paisley, Scotland almost 28 years ago, joined Lookers in 2014 as a franchise operations manager, moving to operations director in 2019 for Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, and Kia, and then to director of customer engagement in 2021. In that role, she led on all brand communications, marketing, and PR activities as well as overseeing customer engagement and feedback.
She was appointed Franchise Director in December 2024.
Welcoming the award, Karen said:
“This recognition really reflects the people who have believed in me and challenged me along the way, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received. I also hope to continue using what I’ve learned to help support more women achieve their full potential in the industry.”
Congratulating Karen, Lookers’ Executive Chair Alex Smith said:
“On behalf of the Board and our entire organisation, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations for your outstanding contribution to our company’s continued success. Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence have played a pivotal role in assisting us in realising our ambitions and our full potential. This important award is also a testament to the strength of the impact of your work over many years which has set a benchmark for others to follow. We are proud to have you as part of our team and look forward to your continued success in the years ahead.”
Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw added:
"The Autocar Great Women initiative is vital, because it shines a necessary spotlight on the brilliant female talent redefining our industry’s future. These winners are far more than high achievers; they are truly inspirational trailblazers whose dedication breaks barriers. By celebrating their success, we ensure the next generation sees that a rewarding, limit-free career in automotive is firmly within reach."