Claire Williams OBE

One of the most recognisable executives in motorsport, Claire Williams spent over a decade at the pinnacle of Formula 1, including 7 years as Deputy Team Principal at Williams – one of the sport’s most successful ever teams. Over the years Claire has seen first-hand a whole host of changes in the sport and is now working as one of the most popular motorsport speakers where she provides her fascinating insights to audiences everywhere.

As the daughter of the legendary Frank Williams, the creator of Williams Racing who is Formula 1’s second most successful team of all time, motorsport is very much in her blood and she spent much of her childhood accompanying her father to Formula 1 Grand Prix all over the world. However, she was keen not to rely on nepotism and forge her own path in the sport, which she began as a press officer at the Silverstone racing circuit.

In 2002 she joined the family team as a communications officer and rose up the ranks, heading up the communications department in 2010. In 2012, her father Frank stepped back from his role and Claire became the family representative on the board. A year later, she was appointed Deputy Team Principal of Williams Racing. In this role, she was responsible for communications, marketing, commercial deals and key strategic decisions during races. During this time, the team’s key focus was to try and return to the glory days of the 80s and 90s when they were winning both drivers and constructors’ championships on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, while this has yet to happen, Claire did work alongside drivers such as Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, as well as nurture up and coming stars like George Russell. In 2020, Claire realised she had taken the team as far as she could, and stepped down from her role as the team was acquired by new investors. In her capacity as a motorsport speaker, Claire can discuss the challenges of working in Formula 1, as well as the difficult decision to step away from the team which meant for the first time since it was formed in 1977, there would be no Williams family member involved.

Another topic Claire can cover at her events is what it was like working in such a patriarchal environment. For many years Formula 1 and motorsport have been largely dominated by men, but as one of a small number of women who have held a managerial position in the industry, she is able to provide a unique insight into the sport and discuss what needs to change for the industry to become more inclusive. This is just one of many reasons why Claire has become one of the most sought after motorsport speakers on the circuit.