Former Thatcham chief executive Peter Shaw passes away

Thatcham Research has paid tribute to its former chief executive, Peter Shaw, who passed away last week (Thursday, January 24).

Shaw had led the automotive research company from 2011 before stepping down due to ill health in June, last year. He had been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour since January 2018.

Jonathan Hewett, chief executive at Thatcham Research, paid tribute to his predecessor. “Peter has left a strong legacy not just at Thatcham Research, but in the wider insurance and automotive industries,” he said.

“Thatcham Research’s increased relevance in the rapidly changing vehicle landscape, not just in the UK but many international markets, is a testament to his deep understanding of the market, his thought leadership and team-working ethic that he made part of the company’s DNA.”

Shaw had been chief executive as well as a board member for seven years, and steered Thatcham Research through a period of notable change, with the company increasingly recognised as a global centre of excellence for assisted and automated driving assessment and testing. 

He initiated a research strategy which reflected this fast pace of change in the automotive market – and more importantly, kept ahead of it, with thought leadership and rapid development of safety standards, said Thatcham.

Graham Gibson, chairman at Thatcham Research, added: “Very rarely in life do you meet an individual who is as charismatic and generous as Peter. Not only is his passing a great loss to his family and friends but also the wider insurance and automotive industry. 

“We often talk about legacy, and very few can be as privileged as leaving such a great legacy as Peter.”

At this difficult time, Thatcham said its thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time, and would ask that their privacy is respected.