Theo has been in the repair industry since 1981 and ran his own bodyshop for 22 years. He Joined Solus Accident Repair Centres in 2004 to head up its Learning & Development function, during its acquisition by Aviva Insurance, and oversaw its rapid expansion from five sites to 21, as well as securing British Standards’ PAS125 accreditation for all sites within a year of the scheme’s launch.

In 2011, Theo became Technical Director, and spearheaded Solus’ growth in capability for future technology challenges, helping to shape Aviva’s Technical strategy. His stewardship raised technical and repair standards, improving quality and consistency across a business numbering over 900 people, repairing c.40,000 vehicles pa, and achieving the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings.

This was all underpinned by the pillars Theo’s team established which included the redesign of operational processes to increase operational efficiency, and which shaped investment in infrastructure and equipment, training, technical recruitment, and engineering.

Theo’s remit also encompassed vehicle manufacturer relationships and health and safety, and in 2021, he oversaw the formulation and implementation of Solus’ ambitious Sustainability strategy.