Akkodis “Lead the Charge” Winning Candidate Selected

Zurich, February 21, 2024 — Akkodis is proud to announce Kim Quaghebeur as the final selected candidate for its “Lead the Charge” program this season. Kim will take on a Sustainability & Environmental Data Consultant role and work alongside experts at the Brackley-based Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team during the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship season to develop and implement solutions that help enable a more sustainable future. Inspired by her experience organizing an international solidarity and sustainability project in Bolivia, Kim went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a major in renewable energy at the University of Adelaide. There, Kim also became heavily involved in leading the university’s student motorsport team. Kim will start her role with Akkodis and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in February 2024.

As a global Smart Industry leader, Akkodis is working to help the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team achieve its commitment to Net Zero. Both organizations understand that making this a reality will require incredible people, the best technology, and creative minds. With the “Lead the Charge” program, Akkodis provides the opportunity for one selected candidate to make a tangible difference in pursuit of the team’s sustainability goals while also providing a platform for individual tech career development with a focus on sustainability.

The program is designed to encourage graduating students and young tech-professionals to advance sustainability through data analytics and technology. Akkodis saw applicants with a strong passion for sustainability and motorsports apply for this unique opportunity from across the world. Akkodis used their global-reaching tech solutions across the selection process, starting with a Q&A session where interested applicants could submit their questions to the team who provided insight into the role. The final assessment involved select applicants navigating through a specially crafted virtual platform, where they collaborated to tackle various challenges. This group activity ensured a strong focus on mindset, expertise, and team spirit – elements that Akkodis considers to be key success factors in every role.

Upon learning of her selection, Kim said, "Akkodis ‘Lead the Charge’ has presented me with the best opportunity I could hope for. Leveraging my university education and fueled by my passion for both sustainability and motorsports, I am eager to contribute to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and actively take part in their vision for a more sustainable future in the world of motorsports."

Jan Gupta, President of Akkodis, commented on the appointment, “We take great pride in Kim assuming the position of ‘Sustainability and Environmental Data Consultant’ within the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. At Akkodis, our dedication extends to collaborating with partners like the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team as they strive towards achieving Net Zero. Kim's appointment marks a substantial advancement in this endeavor, and we look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to the team in pursuit of our shared sustainability goals. We also eagerly anticipate witnessing her continued personal and professional growth.”

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team added, “We're delighted to welcome Kim as a valuable addition to our growing Sustainability team as part of the Akkodis ‘Lead the Charge’ program, which we have been running together for several years. Kim stood out as an exceptional candidate for the role of our Sustainability and Environmental Data Consultant, showcasing both a profound passion and a keen understanding of how to apply smart technology to propel innovative, sustainable solutions.”

Alice continued, “We are looking forward to welcoming Kim to our team and I am sure that she will be a real asset for both the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and the Akkodis family, contributing her expertise to drive our shared objectives forward.”

For more information on the ‘Lead the Charge’ initiative, visit Akkodis.com/LeadTheCharge.

Media contacts
Rebecca Bleasdale
Group SVP, Head of Communications, Akkodis
M. +41786432613
E. rebecca.bleasdale@adeccogroup.com

Lisa Bushka
VP, External Communications, Akkodis
M. +18604630770
E. lisa.bushka@adeccogroup.com

About Akkodis

Akkodis is a global digital engineering company and Smart Industry leader. We enable clients to advance in their digital transformation with Consulting, Solutions, Talent, and Academy services. Headquartered in Switzerland and part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis is a trusted tech partner to the world’s industries. We co-create and pioneer solutions that help to solve major challenges, from accelerating the clean energy transition and green mobility, to improving user and patient centricity. Empowered by a culture of inclusion and diversity, our 50,000 tech experts across 30 countries combine best-in-class technologies and cross industry knowledge to drive purposeful innovation for a more sustainable tomorrow. We are passionate about Engineering a Smarter Future Together. akkodis.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

About the Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation and empower organizations to optimize their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to an inclusive culture, fostering sustainable employability, and supporting resilient economies and communities.  The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). https://www.adeccogroup.com/

About the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-AMG, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship.

Formula One is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell.

The team has set a new benchmark for F1 success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

For further information, please contact:

Bradley Lord
Chief Communications Officer
blord@mercedesamgf1.com
+44 (0) 7785 682 893