Thatcham, the UK motor insurance repair research centre, has named Peter Shaw as its next chief executive.
Shaw, who comes from the energy sector, will join the organisation in April next year and succeeds Peter Roberts, who has led the insurer-funded centre since 2001.
"[Shaw] is joining the centre as it moves into its next stage of development," Thatcham chairman, Bill Paton, said. "The skills he brings will guide the organisation to deliver even more value to our members and the wider automotive community.
"I would like to thank Peter Roberts for his contribution to the success of Thatcham over the last decade and wish him success with his future ventures when he leaves the organisation in June."
Peter Shaw said: "I am delighted to be joining the Thatcham team and looking forward to leading the organisation through the opportunities provided by the fast moving developments in the automotive and insurance sectors.
"I trust that my 20 years of experience with the Automobile Association in the motoring and insurance businesses, combined with recent commercial focus at Centrica's British Gas business arm, will allow me to hit the ground running next year."
A new face will also be joining the Thatcham board in 2011. Dane Loosley, divisional claims manager,at Allianz Insurance, will succeed Jon Dye, also from Allianz.
Loosley has many years' experience in both the motor industry and insurance claims roles as well as being a regular contributor at industry conferences and forums. He is well known to the accident repair sector for winning its "Insurer of the Year" award a record five times in the past 10 years.