Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC has announced that Claire Williams is to become the Deputy Team Principal of the Williams F1 Team. This newly created position will see Claire work alongside Founder and Team Principal Sir Frank Williams to play a pivotal role in the day to day running and long term development of the race team. The position will strengthen the future of the team and create a clear succession path for Williams. The team had planned to announce this new appointment before the start of the 2013 season, but following the death of Lady Virginia Williams earlier this month, it was decided by Frank and Claire to delay this announcement to afford the family privacy.

Claire will take up her new position with immediate effect, whilst also retaining her Commercial Director role leading the marketing, communications and sponsorship functions of the business. Claire will continue to be part of the Company's Board of Directors and will be supported by and work in collaboration with the full Board. Claire has been Director of Marketing and Communications at Williams for the past year and has been responsible for continuing to develop the commercial strategy of the business and generating new revenue for the team.

She has grown through the organisation over the last ten years, starting as a Williams press officer in 2002. In 2010 she was promoted to Head of Communications and after Williams floated on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2011, she took on the position of Head of Investor Relations.