Thatcham Research has appointed Rich Tomlinson as Insurance Sector Director, effective Monday 11 May 2026. 

Tomlinson will lead the organisation’s Insurance Vertical, reporting directly to Chief Executive Jonathan Hewett. The role has been created alongside Thatcham Research’s Automotive and Repair Verticals, led by Ben Townsend and Dean Lander respectively. 

In this newly created position, Tomlinson will play a central role in coordinating and enhancing the value delivered to Thatcham Research’s insurance members. Drawing on the organisation’s research, data, product, influencing and training capabilities, he will help ensure members continue to benefit from increasingly integrated automotive risk intelligence. 

Jonathan Hewett, Chief Executive, Thatcham Research, said: “Rich joins us at a pivotal moment for both the automotive and insurance sectors. The pace of change is accelerating, from the transition to new powertrains, to software-defined vehicles and advances in automation and artificial intelligence. At the same time, new market entrants are reshaping the competitive landscape.” 

Rich Tomlinson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Thatcham Research at such an important time for the industry. Insurers are operating in an increasingly complex and rapidly shifting environment.”