Claire Williams is renowned for her contributions to Formula 1 as the former Deputy Team Principal of the Williams Formula 1 racing team. After 18 years at the helm of the notorious racing team, in 2022, Claire founded Claire Williams Consulting, providing cutting-edge consultations on leadership, team performance and communications for Formula 1 racing groups. Furthermore, she has become a notable speaker on leadership, peak performance, team strategy and diversity and inclusion, sharing her insight as a transformational leader in a male-dominated industry.
After completing her BA in Politics at the University of Newcastle, Claire became a Comms Officer for the world-famous Silverstone Circuits, managing a busy press office. In 2002, she joined Williams Racing as a Press Officer, moving to Head Of Communications in 2010. Claire was then promoted to Head of Investor Relations, after the company’s public listing in 2011. Following that, she became the Commercial Director of the company, which involved securing the team’s seasonal racing budget of £75m.
Claire became the Williams family representative on the board after her late father, the legendary Sir Frank Williams, stepped down in 2012. She was appointed Deputy Team Principal in 2013, making her mark on the motorsports world by taking her racing team to successive third places in the infamous Constructors Championship, achieving the team’s best racing performance since 2003. Moreover, Claire catalysed Susie Wolff’s racing career, providing her with the opportunity to be the first female racing driver in Formula 1 since 1992. Becoming an Ambassador for Susie’s Dare to be Different initiative, Claire inspired young girls to pursue a career in motorsport and has also created work opportunities for wheelchair users as Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association.
A thought leader in motorsports and one of the most successful women in modern Formula 1 history, Claire is renowned for her transformational leadership style and advocacy for more inclusion in a male-dominated sport. In recognition of her distinguished contributions to Formula 1, Claire was appointed an OBE in 2016 and has now established herself as a highly sought-after speaker, who delivers extremely engaging sessions on peak performance, leadership, diversity and inclusion and teamwork.
