Jonathan Hewett has been appointed the new chief executive at Thatcham Research, effective January 7, 2019. Hewett brings a wealth of senior management, international and strategic leadership skills from across the insurance, automotive, and financial sectors.
Hewett will lead and evolve Thatcham Research’s strategy, and help guide its insurer members through vehicle safety, repair and security in a period of exponential technological advancements in connectivity, future automated driving capabilities as well as complex vehicle materials and structures.
Hewett joins from Octo Telematics where he was global chief marketing officer, working closely with insurers, vehicle manufacturers, fleet and rental organizations as well as government bodies, to provide digital solutions.
Graham Gibson, chairman at Thatcham Research, commented, “In a period when cars will change out of all recognition as we know them today, I am delighted that Jonathan has been appointed as chief executive. He brings considerable knowledge and experience, combined with great leadership skills.”
Meanwhile Hewett said, “We are amid once-in-a-lifetime changes to our relationship with cars and mobility in general. The consequential impact on insurers and the automotive sector presents enormous opportunities to improve the consumer experience and efficiency of businesses.
“Over the last 50 years, Thatcham Research has provided crucial insight and data-driven analysis for insurers and the automotive industry as a whole, and I am very much looking forward to working with the team in pursuit of our vision – safer cars and fewer crashes.”
Having announced Hewett’s appointment, the company is approaching an important milestone – its 50th anniversary.