Dr. Christoph Burtscher has been appointed Chief Transformation & Innovation Officer (CTIO) for Trak Global Group, the holding company for IMS (Insurance & Mobility Solutions) and Carrot Insurance. Burtscher joins the UK’s leading telematics technology business from customer data science specialist dunnhumby, and will lead the Group’s change and transformation programme, reporting to Group CEO Nick Corrie.
Nick Corrie said Burtscher’s appointment coincided with a rapid acceleration of interest in Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen millions of drivers complain about paying full rate for insurance while their vehicles sat idle during the lockdown.
“In our key markets of Europe and North America, we are already seeing that customer interest in UBI is growing significantly, and insurers will need new, more flexible products in their portfolios to meet the surge in demand for policies where premiums reflect when and how you drive.”
He added: “As well as increased appetite for connected insurance products, we’re going to see ‘shared’ mobility become mainstream. Fewer people will own a car, especially in cities, and if they want to get around, they’ll now be more likely to ridehail, join car clubs or hire vehicles for short periods.”
“Shared mobility and digital insurance – which are necessarily converging – will need access to connected vehicle data in order to optimise their operating models and customer propositions. It’s very exciting, and I’ve asked Christoph to drive through the organisational changes we need to make in our business to enable TGG to build its leadership position in the connected revolution.”
“Christoph is a heavyweight appointment for the Group. He has a raft of senior transformation roles under his belt, including Avis Europe, Xchanging, LateRooms, Yodel and Co-op. It’s a testament to our global scale and continued ambition that we can attract executives of Christoph’s calibre, and I’m confident he will make a significant contribution to TGG.”
Christoph said: “TGG is a transformational business in a sector that is in the throes of a revolution, and I am very excited by this opportunity. As CTIO I will be driving efficiency with the right operating model across TGG and ensuring IMS can deliver the commitments we make to our clients given anticipated surges in demand.”
Nick explained that TGG had already signposted its intentions earlier this year by extending its IMS brand internationally across both its Insurance and Mobility B2B divisions. This followed Three Hills Capital Partners taking a significant minority stake in TGG in August 2019 and TGG’s acquisition of Intelligent Mechatronic Systems of Canada in December 2018.
Christoph Burtscher brief biography
2018 – 2020: dunnhumby (a number of senior executive roles)
2017 – 2018: Co-op Group/Insurance, Head of Strategic Delivery & Transformation
2014 – 2017: Yodel, Deputy CIO and Director of Strategic Change and Digital
2011 – 2014: LateRooms Group, Director of Strategy
In insurance, as well as the Co-op, Christoph worked for XChanging (2010) and AXA (previously Winterthur) between 2001 and 2007.
Christoph is also a Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School/University of Reading.
