We're SBD Automotive, a global team of specialists in automotive technology.

David Bell has 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry. Prior to working at SBD Automotive David was a Senior Engineer at Nissan’s European Technology Centre, where he was responsible for the development vehicle electrical systems. David was a founding member of SBD and has worked in the design and development of security and connected systems during his 21 years at SBD. His role for the past 5 years has been to manage and grow SBD to become world leading knowledge partners to the industry.

David McClure’s early career was as an engineer at Ford and then at Nissan’s European Technology Centre, where he was responsible for the design and development of audio and navigation systems. David was a founding member of SBD, created its Connected Car division, and has overseen SBD’s growth into ADAS, autonomous driving systems and cyber security. His role for the past 3 years has focused on growing business through increased services that clients value, allowing him to provide recommendations on partnerships, competiveness, technical solutions, and business models from a broader perspective.

Gareth has been instrumental in the development and growth of SBD Automotive from its inception in 1997, through to establishing SBD's current business and market position. With over 25 years’ experience of working in vehicle design for a number of vehicle manufacturers, Gareth’s role for the past few years has been to manage the business growing global requirements and introduce robust processes and management tools to allow SBD to respond to its international customer base.

Andrew Hart has 15 years of experience within the automotive industry. During this time, he has worked alongside various car makers in Japan, Europe and USA, advising them on how to successfully deploy connected car services. In 2014 Andrew moved to the USA to set up SBD’s North America offices, and led the team until his return in 2015. He now runs SBD Labs – an innovation team focused on helping SBD diversify beyond research/consulting and into SaaS-based products. He regularly keynotes at international conferences around the world about the future direction of the industry.

Lee leads SBD Automotive’s global connected car team, and joined the company in 2013. Prior to joining SBD he held strategic product management positions at high growth fleet management & telematics companies, infotainment R&D roles at Nissan, and product definition roles in the telecoms sector. Since joining SBD Lee has applied SBD’s collective experience as well as his own to numerous client projects ranging from OEM partner selection, tier1 market entry, solution commercialization and program launch engagements.

Expertise:

• Connected services product management
• Partner selection & differentiation
• Data monetization
• Organizational alignment to KPIs
• Fleet Management
• Connectivity trends & outlook
• Value chain analysis

Alessio leads the sales and business development and has been with SBD since 2011. In that time he has worked to secure partnerships and relationships with cutting-edge, ​high ranking companies from across the globe.  Prior to his role with SBD, Alessio was a leading product planning & marketing within Toyota Motor Europe. 

Andrea began her career in the telematics /Connected Car world in 1996 with implementing the first traffic database collected from sensors in Germany to be send out to cars. Until 2010 she worked on the TSP side (Vodafone, ATX, Cross Country, Sirius XM) and started the BMW Connected Drive program. Most recently, Andrea led the Automotive strategy for Telenor Connexion as well as Telenor Group. Her expertise includes Telematics Service Providers, Telematics services, Wireless MNOs, SIM card management, Navigation, Infotainment, Mobility and eCall Regulations.

Jeffrey Hannah guides the North America office of SBD Automotive and has more than seventeen years’ experience working with global automakers and their partners to successfully plan and implement effective Connected, Autonomous, and Secure Car strategies. A dynamic leader, innovator, analyst, and speaker, he is extremely active in networking, business development, start-ups, and other efforts to support the broader automotive technology community. Prior to his role with SBD, for eight years Jeff was a leading member of General Motors’ Global Connected Consumer Experience organization which included the industry’s largest Telematics service, OnStar. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School.

Akio guides the Japan office of SBD Automotive and has more than 20 years of experience in automotive R&D. He oversees the technical delivery of several SBD Japan clients and has managed SBD’s overall business in Japan since 2009. Akio Graduated from university in Japan with degree in Mechanical Engineering. His R&D experience at AISIN Seiki included body and security components like door latches, window regulators and steering columns, he also instrumental in security system research in Europe for 4 years supporting the development of a new security system. Before leaving AISIN Seiki, Akio worked as a manager of Body Component Design department where more than 50 engineers develop and redesign components for around 70 billion JPY of product sales, as well as a project coordinator in Project Planning Office for wider range of vehicle components.

Victor Zhang Began his career with SBD as an Analyst in 2011 after achieving an MSc at Cranfield University. He now leads SBD China, located in Shanghai. Victor gained years of experience with SBD supporting the Connected Car and Secure Car market research and consultancy projects, specializing in navigation and infotainment systems, telematics, and smart keys. His expertise includes Telematics services, Back end IT architecture, Apps, Navigation, Infotainment, and Business modelling .

Alain has completed his PhD in Control Systems Engineering before joining Jaguar Land Rover as a control system engineer. He later became a research technical specialist in sensor systems where he was responsible for the early development of a number of driving assistance systems. At SBD he is responsible for the Autonomous Car division where he guides and manage the Research and Consulting Division, providing recommendations to SBD’s clients on defining and implementing their ADAS strategies.

Expertise:

• ADAS & Autonomy
• Sensor technologies
• Testing & Validation
• Benchmarking
• HMI
• UX