Board of Trustees

Jonathan Hewett is Chief Executive of Thatcham Research, the UK’s only automotive risk intelligence organisation, where he has led a period of significant transformation and growth since 2019. Under his leadership, Thatcham Research has evolved into a globally recognised provider of Automotive Risk Intelligence, supporting insurers, vehicle manufacturers, the repair sector and policymakers in enabling safe, secure and sustainable mobility.

Jonathan’s career spans financial services, insurance, retail and technology, with leadership roles across marketing, product and general management. He is passionate about the role data, research and collaboration play in helping industries navigate change and deliver better outcomes for customers and society.

Alongside his role at Thatcham Research, Jonathan serves as a Trustee of the National Motor Museum, helping the Trust realise its vision of preserving and sharing Britain’s motoring heritage.

Hailing from a motor trade family, Jonathan has been immersed in the automotive world from an early age. A lifelong car enthusiast, he brings both personal passion and professional expertise to his role as a Ben Trustee, supporting the charity’s mission to provide life-changing support for people across the automotive industry.

As a qualified Chartered Accountant, Will has worked in a number of senior finance roles helping SME businesses achieve their growth objectives in a variety of sectors. These include construction, manufacturing, payment card processing, and, most recently, the care industry, where Will spent 5 years as Finance Director of Hartford Care Group Limited.

Will is now focused on contributing to value-driven organisations within the not-for-profit sector, utilising his commercial skills and experience in order to give something back. Besides his role on the board of trustees at Ben, Will is Chair of Trustees for a local grant-giving foundation, The Sunninghill Trust. He is also a trustee at the Brendoncare Foundation which is committed to helping older people receive the care and support they deserve – either within the charity’s care homes or through the community and domiciliary services they provide.

Darren is a former Chief Executive Officer of Sytner Group and has spent over 40 years in the automotive industry. During his time at Sytner, Darren led the company, the UK's largest automotive retail group, through significant growth while championing a people-first culture and a strong focus on colleague wellbeing.

As a Ben Trustee, Darren brings extensive experience in strategy, governance, leadership, technology, marketing and customer experience. He has a long-standing connection with Ben, having supported the charity throughout his career, including establishing a major fundraising initiative at Sytner that raised significant funds to support Ben's work.

Darren became a Ben Trustee to give back to an industry that has given so much to him. He is passionate about helping Ben become the go-to health and wellbeing charity for everyone who works, or has worked, in the automotive industry, while increasing awareness of the support Ben provides.

His focus as a Trustee is to support Ben's leadership team in growing the number of people who access the charity's services and ensuring Ben continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the automotive community.

Shirley is currently the Director of Care & Wellbeing at the Royal Star & Garter.  Shirley worked for 10 years in the NHS, specialising in cardiac care and setting up rehab services. She then joined the British Heart Foundation, where she developed its pioneering ‘Hearty Lives’ programme. She has gone on to hold a variety of senior roles at organisations including the Retirement Villages Group and The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

Shirley has also worked closely with the national Gold Standards Framework, the UK’s leading training provider for generalist frontline staff in caring for people in the last years of life.  With her considerable experience in health and wellbeing, Shirley supports Ben - the automotive benevolent fund, as a non-executive director on the Board of Trustees.

Georgina Hoare is Chief Executive of the PDA Society, the UK's leading charity supporting and advocating for people with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of autism, as well as their families and the professionals who support them.

She brings extensive leadership experience across the charity, health and social care sectors, having held Director and Chief Executive roles in organisations specialising in psychological wellbeing and complex care. Her career also includes significant clinical experience spanning acute and forensic mental health, autism, learning disabilities, sexual violence and trauma.

Before joining the PDA Society, Georgina was a Senior Organisational Consultant at Tavistock Consulting, where she worked with leaders across a range of sectors, providing systems psychodynamic organisational consultancy and executive coaching.

A qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist, music therapist, organisational consultant and executive coach, Georgina combines deep clinical expertise with substantial experience in charity governance, organisational development, people and culture and safeguarding. She has previously served as a trustee for Carers First and Embrace Child Survivors of Crime.

Georgina is passionate about the positive impact that early, compassionate intervention can have on people's lives. As a trustee, she is committed to improving the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of those working in the automotive industry and is proud to support Ben's mission of delivering holistic wellbeing, preventative care and practical support.

Katherine has worked in the automotive sector for 25 years having worked at a number of UK and international manufacturers. She is a Chartered Accountant who seeks to balance the flexibility required of today’s corporate environment with the robust compliance and transparent financial accountability demanded by stakeholders. 

Katherine is currently Finance Director for McLaren Automotive based in Woking. She also supports the industry as a non-executive director on the Board of Trustees for Ben.

Tracey has worked in HR since 2001, firstly as a senior Rewards professional across many well-known brands such as Centrica, Lloyds TSB and Arla Foods, then moving into directorship level with Manchester Airport where she was Rewards Director.

Tracey had a leadership role with Yorkshire Building Society, as Director of People Performance then latterly Director of Colleague Experience. Tracey is currently Group People Director of JCT600, one of the top ten automotive retailers in the UK with a turnover of £1.1b and continues to support the industry as a non-executive director on the Board of Trustees for Ben.

Damian is Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Specialised, at Motability Operations, where he leads commercial relationships across the automotive industry, alongside its specialised mobility business. With over 30 years' experience in the automotive sector, Damian began his career with Ford Motor Company before joining Motability Operations in 2008, where he has held several senior leadership roles across commercial strategy, operations and business transformation.

As a Ben Trustee, Damian brings extensive experience in commercial strategy, governance, operational leadership and building strong partnerships across the automotive industry. He has led large-scale transformation programmes and works closely with manufacturers, retailers and industry partners, giving him a broad perspective on the changing needs of the automotive community.

Damian became a Ben Trustee to give back to an industry that has shaped his career for more than three decades. He has been a long-standing supporter of Ben, helping to strengthen the relationship between Motability Operations and the charity. He is passionate about helping Ben expand its reach, raise awareness of its health and wellbeing services and continue delivering support to those working in the automotive industry.

His focus as a Trustee is to support Ben's leadership team in ensuring the charity continues to meet the changing needs of the automotive community while remaining sustainable and effective for the long term.

Mark has worked in and alongside the NHS and Social Care for almost 30 years as an NHS CEO, a director of a national NHS Agency, a non-executive director of an NHS Mental Health Trust and currently as an independent consultant specialising in change management, supporting senior teams navigate complex challenges and technology adoption. As a Trustee for Ben, Mark’s considerable experience in change management and information technology implementation and adoption puts Ben in a stronger position for further development and transformation.

Pia is Chief Executive Officer of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), the UK’s Type Approval Authority, responsible for ensuring new vehicles meet the required standards. A qualified engineer, she has over 30 years’ experience in and alongside the automotive sector, holding senior leadership roles across both the public and private sectors. Her career has spanned engineering, technical sales, business development and organisational leadership.

Pia is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly increasing opportunities for women in engineering and championing neurodiversity in the workplace. As a Business Ambassador for Ambitious About Autism, she encourages employers to recognise the strengths and value that autistic people and other neurodivergent individuals bring to the workplace.

Pia brings her extensive leadership experience and commitment to creating inclusive workplaces to her role as a Trustee of Ben. She was awarded an honorary CBE in 2020 for services to motor transport.