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SBD Automotive is guided by a dynamic set of executives with nearly two centuries of combined automotive leadership experience, each with a proven track record of serving SBD Automotive and its valued client base. The Leadership Team successfully guided the Management Buyout (MBO) of SBD Automotive from its founding team in March 2021, allowing the company to remain independent and 100% employee owned.

 

The team collectively prides itself on living SBD Automotive's core values, supporting employee career growth, listening to customers, and actively shaping the future of mobility.

SBD Automotive

Leadership

Our leadership team and advisory board

Our Leadership Team

Jo Jones

Chief HR Officer

A former external advisor to SBD Automotive since 2007, Jo has been with SBD Automotive for over 5 years and counts more than 30 years of overall HR experience growing successful teams and is responsible for guiding SBD's people strategy. Jo previously spent more than two decades leading global HR divisions at SATRA Technology Centre and Avon Cosmetics.

Jo can be found at rock concerts with her daughter, walking her dog Harley, and convincing her body to manage a Yoga pose that’s only slightly out of reach!

David McClure

Chief Operating Officer

An original co-founder of SBD Automotive, David has successfully guided the firm’s industry-leading automotive cybersecurity practice as well as overseeing the growth of its regional offices over the past decade. David’s nearly three decades of automotive expertise also includes technical roles at Nissan and Ford.

When he isn't in operations-mode, David can usually be found hiking, removing the family cat from his laptop keyboard, and commuting his sons across the country (or continent).

Andrew Hart

Chief Executive Officer

A globally recognized thought leader and innovator, Andrew joined SBD Automotive in 2004. During his tenure, Andrew has worked across many of SBD's teams and regions. He has led successful strategic advisory engagements with senior executives at more than 50 automotive manufacturers and suppliers on a global basis.

When he's not CEO-ing, Andrew can usually be found attempting to resist buying the latest tech product, perfecting his pancakes, and trying to keep up with his wife and three daughters.

Lee Colman

Chief Production Officer

Lee has led SBD Automotive’s Connected Car consulting practice since 2015, and currently oversees SBD Automotive’s global research and consulting deliverables to its clients. Lee brings more than 18 previous years of domain expertise from his work at Nissan European Technical Centre, Teletrac Navman, and several leading telecommunications and research institutions worldwide.

Lee is an avid sportscar enthusiast, can be found rocking at music festivals, taking things apart to see how they work, and putting his classic Mini back to together, hoping it will still work.

Jeffrey Hannah

Chief Commercial Officer

A former SBD Automotive client turned employee, Jeffrey counts more than 19 years of automotive technology experience, including co-founding SBD Automotive’s North American office in 2014, 8 years at General Motor’s OnStar division, and served as an automotive and telecommunications government relations leader in Washington, DC USA. His current role includes guiding sales, marketing, product development, and commercial alliances with key partners worldwide.

When he is not talking to customers about their research needs, Jeffrey enjoys travelling with his family, cheering on the University of Michigan Wolverines (Go Blue!), networking at key events, and grabbing any karaoke mic he can find.

Our Advisory Board

Mark Garrett

Chairman of the Board

With 34 years experience in the automotive and consulting industry developing and delivering world class solutions for blue chip clients around the world, Mark has wide-ranging experience in strategic planning, M&A, global operational execution, research and development, project management and leading major multi-£m consultancy project teams from concept to series production.

David Bell

Founder & Strategic Advisor

In addition to co-founding SBD Automotive, David served as its long-tenured CEO and automotive security practice leader. He counts more than 35 years of overall global automotive development and consulting experience, including 9 years at Nissan European Technical Centre.

After 25 years, David could not be prouder of the company SBD Automotive has become, our positive impact on the industry, and our everyday commitment to advising clients in the right way.

Leon Hurst

Strategic Advisor

Leon began his career in telecoms in '98 leading product creation at Nokia and Motorola. In 2012 he co-founded and commercialised the Jaguar Land Rover telematics business concluding his tenure leading global product marketing for a number of carlines. In recent years Leon has focused on defining strategy at data-powered automotive businesses, working on PE/VC-backed boards, scaling organic growth and supporting M&A initiatives.

Insights

Stay up-to date with the latest automotive news and insights

Find out more

Reports

A catalog of off-the-shelf automotive research reports

Consulting

Custom consulting services for the automotive industry

Data

The tools to help you make the right decisions at the right time

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