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James
Dornor

ames Dornor is the visionary founder & CEO of Driven By Us CIC, a pioneering community-driven organization dedicated to empowering aspiring leaders from ethnic minorities and underrepresented groups in the automotive and motorsport industries. Established in April 2023, Driven By Us provides a transformative platform, offering a safe and supportive space facilitated by relatable role models from world-renowned organizations. Through sharing first-hand success stories, the organization fosters a thriving community network aimed at empowering individuals to speak out and succeed in motorsports.

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Under James’s leadership, Driven By Us has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of the first recognized ethnic minority-led motorsport club within Motorsport UK (April 2023 - November 2024). This initiative has become a vital platform for the Black and neurodiverse communities, addressing the pressing need for inclusivity and representation. By fostering collaboration and partnerships, Driven By Us exemplifies its commitment to building a more inclusive engineering and motorsport landscape.

 

A testament to James’s dedication is the tangible impact of his initiatives, such as women of color securing engineering roles within Formula One, an achievement that highlights his unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and meaningful change. In recognition of his efforts, James and Driven By Us were awarded the prestigious Points of Light Award by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP in 2023, celebrating outstanding community impact. The accolade was presented just before the British Grand Prix.

 

With over 13 years of expertise in the automotive and motorsport industries, James’s professional journey includes roles at McLaren Automotive, McLaren GT, Haas F1, and Mercedes AMG F1 Team. He has worked extensively on the electronics and car systems of Mercedes AMG F1 Heritage cars, driven by iconic figures such as Sir Lewis Hamilton MBE. His contributions from 2013 to 2022 within the Heritage Centre have cemented his reputation as a skilled and innovative professional in the field.

 

James’s vision is to position Driven By Us as the leading organization championing diverse talent in motorsports, ensuring equitable opportunities for ethnic minorities and underrepresented groups. With a core focus on STEM personnel, James believes that embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) into the industry is essential for long-term success.

 

Driven By Us’s achievements in 2023 included directly impacting over 1,187 individuals through community outreach programs in the UK and USA, as well as through its Driver Academy and eSports initiatives. The organization also had the honor of speaking at the British Grand Prix 2024, showcasing their trailblazing efforts in creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in motorsports.

James was recently recognized as a Top 24 GEMinSTEM Role Model 2024 by the RS Group, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), joining an esteemed cohort that includes figures like George Imafidon MBE and Stephanie Travers.

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With his leadership, Driven By Us is at the forefront of creating a more inclusive motorsport industry, ensuring that the next generation of talent can thrive, innovate, and excel in an equitable and supportive environment.

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