Watson named among rising stars at Autocar’s Great British Women Awards

1 May 2025, Farnborough, UK: Alphabet’s Service Management Apprentice, Miri Watson [pictured second on the right], was formally recognised at Autocar’s Great British Women – Rising Stars’ awards at the publisher’s sixth biennial event at HORIBA MIRA in Warwickshire on 30 April 2025. 

Watson, who joined Alphabet in September 2023, as part of her four-year chartered manager degree apprenticeship through Oxford Brooks University, was named alongside a number of stand-out British apprentices across the automotive sector. 

Autocar recognised Watson for her ingenuity and industrious approach to business, while working across a dual operations and marketing remit. This often includes unpacking complex tasks, which she been able to see from inception through to completion, underpinning her immense value to fleet management process.

Also shortlisted in this year’s awards was Vicki Bovington [pictured on the far right], General Manager of Process Management & Quality at Alphabet (GB), who made the final cut in the operations award category. Bovington was recognised for her outstanding and ongoing contribution to the business, which includes significantly growing the scale of the IT market roadmap to make the UK the second largest market across Alphabet’s estate for robotic process automation.

Speaking after the event, Watson said: “It was amazing to be surrounded and listen to talks from so many people who are at the top of their field.

“It was inspiring to hear how they got there, any barriers they overcame, and what advice they could give to help others on their journey.”

In response to Miri’s accolade, Andy Williams, Mobility Services & Business Development Manager at Alphabet (GB), said: “Since joining Alphabet’s Operations Team, Miri she has gone from strength to strength. 

“Working across a broad range of complex subjects, Miri shows great awareness of Alphabet’s products and services and has a natural ability to ask the right questions and challenge processes in a positive way.

“Her friendly and warm approach promotes collaboration. People love working with Miri and helping her, and we feel extremely fortunate to have her at Alphabet. Her industry recognition is well-deserved,” he added. 

It’s the second time in six months that Watson has been recognised for her work after she was highly commended as a rising star at Fleet News’ FN50 Customer Service Awards in London in November 2024.

About the Autocar Great British Women – Rising Stars Awards

The Autocar Great Women - Rising Stars is a biennial awards event, presented in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The Great British Women awards were founded in 2014 to celebrate the achievements of influential women in the British automotive industry. 

There are 10 award and recognition categories, from manufacturing, digital, marketing, events, to operations, PR and communications, sales, apprentice, talent, vehicle development. with one overall winner, to recognise women who are making a significant impact and showing great potential in their careers.