Currie to Chair Re-Shaped Thatcham Board

Thatcham Research, the insurers’ automotive research centre, has announced the appointment of RSA’s Ian Currie as the new Chairman of the Thatcham non-executive Board.

As Director of Motor & Injury at RSA, one of the world’s leading multinational insurance groups, Ian is responsible for RSA’s Motor Claims and also sits on the Board of the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB). Currie replaces previous incumbent Tony Emms as Chair, who is stepping aside after nearly three years at the helm.

Ian will lead a restructured board, which will also see Lloyds Market Association’s Manager, Non Marine, David Powell appointed as the new Deputy Chair and three further newly appointed Board Members – Karl Helgesen (Zurich), Martin Milliner (LV=) and Rob Cummings (ABI) also joining the team. Click here for a full look at Thatcham's re-shaped board.

“Having been a member of the Thatcham Board since 2012 I have first-hand experience of the ground breaking research being carried out from which the insurance industry and all of us as motorists can benefit. It’s a great honour to take up this appointment and I’m very much looking forward to working with Peter Shaw and his senior management team to ensure that great work continues in sharp focus, particularly in light of the new challenges for the motor insurance industry provided by new technologies and the increasing complexity of cars,” said Currie.

The Thatcham Board is drawn from the research centre’s 27 member insurers, plus the ABI (Association of British Insurers) who contribute a combined £8.4 million annual levy payment to fund the essential research on vehicle security, accident damage, personal injury and repair.

The role of the Thatcham Board is to guide the strategy and future direction at the automotive research centre ensuring that Thatcham can fulfil their remit of ‘Influencing the design of vehicles to reduce accidents, improve safety and security and drive down claims costs’.

Peter Shaw, Chief Executive at Thatcham Research welcomed Ian’s appointment. “As a highly proactive and influential board member, Ian has already shown his leadership credentials and I am therefore delighted that he has agreed to take up this new position and help steer us through the next period of Thatcham’s development.”