Former Fen pupil’s McLaren supercar work leads to national award
Former Wisbech Grammar School pupil Joanna Rowe (pictured) who manages the day-to-day production of McLaren supercar engines has been named as one of Autocar’s ‘Great Women: Rising Stars 2021’. - Credit: Ricardo PLC/WikiMediaCC
A former Fenland student who manages a team of 50 people building 100 supercar engines per week for McLaren has received a national award.
Wisbech Grammar School alumni Joanna Rowe has been named as one of Autocar’s ‘Great Women: Rising Stars 2021’ after her career launched in 2010.
Starting off at Jaguar Land Rover, Joanna, known as Jo, has worked her way up the ranks at West Sussex-based automotive engineering firm Ricardo.
She left Wisbech Grammar School in 2004 with four A-levels and nine GCSEs, A* to A in Physics, Art and Design Textiles and Resistant Materials Technology.
Jo Rowe left Wisbech Grammar School in 2004. - Credit: Ricardo PLC
Since joining Ricardo five years ago, Jo has played the lead role in introducing the brand new engine launched in the McLaren Artura supercar.
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Dave Shemmans, chief executive officer of Ricardo plc, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jo has been recognised as one of the Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars for 2021.
“The recognition is very well deserved and is a testament to the industry-leading manufacturing expertise that Jo offers day in, day out to world-renowned Ricardo customers.
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“Jo exemplifies the Ricardo core value of Respect which, with such a diverse global community, has always been an integral part of our company, and is at the heart of high performance teams and business, enabling us to celebrate differences.
“We have a special business, a special team and a special family around the world, and my objective is for Ricardo to lead the way as a ‘good good’ employer as well as through technology and innovation.”
Jo said: “I am honoured to have been named in the Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars.
The new McLaren Artura is a hybrid supercar. - Credit: WikiMedia CC
“I’m passionate about my work and driven by the desire to be better, so for me, enabling an environment and culture where a team can truly achieve operational excellence is a key career goal.
“I’d also really like to make a visible impact with my career.
“Since day one, when I was presented with a director panel, I wanted to see someone like me among them.
“Diversity in our sector has increased since then, but there’s still work to do. I’d be proud if a future young engineer saw me on that panel and were to be inspired by my achievements.”
