Claire Williams

Claire Williams OBE, a trailblazer in the world of Formula 1, led the Williams racing team until 2020, making her one of the only two women to ever head a Formula 1 team in the modern era. Under her guidance, Williams achieved remarkable success, finishing 3rd in the World Championship for Constructors in 2014 and 2015, marking the team’s best performance since 2003.Today, Claire serves as a global Brand Ambassador for WAE Technologies, formerly known as Williams Advanced Engineering. Her focus lies in spearheading the development of advanced, sustainable, and green technologies, specifically targeting the decarbonization of heavy transport.

Claire’s leadership led to ongoing success.

Claire’s father, the late Sir Frank Williams, was the founder of the Williams Grand Prix Engineering F1 team, which secured an impressive nine Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships. Following in her father’s footsteps, Claire embarked on her own journey, graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in Politics in 1999. She kick-started her career as a Press Officer for Silverstone Circuit and later joined the Williams team in 2002 as a Communications Officer. Through her dedication and expertise, she climbed the ranks to become the Head of Communications, Head of Investor Relations, and eventually the Commercial Director in 2012.

After Frank Williams stepped down, Claire became the Williams family representative on the company’s board. In March 2013, she took on the role of Deputy Team Principal, playing a crucial role in the team’s development and daily operations. While her father remained the Team Principal, Claire’s leadership led to ongoing success, including consecutive third-place finishes in the Constructors’ Championships during her second and third years in charge, along with consistently strong performances in the following years.

Her profound insights on leading high-performing teams make her a highly sought-after speaker at corporate events, captivating audiences with her valuable knowledge.

Throughout her tenure, Claire championed greater diversity and inclusion within Williams Racing and the sport as a whole. She played a pivotal role in giving Susie Wolff the opportunity to become the first female racing driver to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend since 1992. As Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, Claire also worked to provide opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries within the team and established workplace initiatives for wheelchair users. In April 2023, she launched the Sir Frank Williams Academy, a charitable endeavor aimed at providing life-changing support for people with spinal cord injuries, garnering support from the Williams Racing team.

Since the triumphant sale of the Williams F1 team in 2020, Claire has been utilizing her wealth of expertise as a consultant, guiding brands venturing into the dynamic world of Formula 1. Her profound insights on leading high-performing teams make her a highly sought-after speaker at corporate events, captivating audiences with her valuable knowledge. Claire’s exceptional contributions to Formula One were recognized when she was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the prestigious Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours List, a testament to her lasting impact on the sport.