Emma has risen impressively through the ranks of Ford’s purchasing division since starting as a commercial vehicle buyer at the company’s UK base in Dunton in 2007. 

Her most recent promotion – to head up the global procurement of battery cells at Ford’s Dearborn HQ – comes at a crucial time for Ford as it restructures its business and prepares for the rapid growth in electrified vehicles. She is at the forefront of Ford’s £9 billion investment in the EV space and leads teams across the US, EU and China. 

The breadth of her role includes investigating opportunities to source battery cell suppliers, which she does at such a scale that a South Korean partner recently broke ground on a £1.3 billion manufacturing facility, largely driven by Emma’s input. 

Before relocating to Dearborn last year, she worked in Chennai, India for three years, leading powertrain purchasing for the Asia Pacific region – an experience she describes as incredibly enjoyable and very different to life at Dearborn.

Emma’s love of working in the automotive industry stems from being right at the front of major technological changes. “Things don’t stand still in this industry for very long,” she said. “I’ve learned by being flexible and open-minded. Opportunities open up to you.”

Read more

How Emma King is leading Ford's EV revolution

Ford 'Mach-E' electric crossover takes aim for Tesla Model Y