The appointee replaces Peter Gomes, who has now retired
Former Horwich Farrelly top boss Anthony Hughes has been appointed as chairman and chief executive of the Credit Hire Organisation (CHO) – the trade body for the UK credit hire industry.
Hughes – who has worked with the insurance industry for around 30 years – has succeeded retiree Peter Gomes.
As part of the move, Lucy Woods will step down as chairman after two years of service. She will remain a member of CHO’s strategic board.
Woods thanked Gomes for his “stewardship of the CHO through a period of significant transition” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“On behalf of all our members, [we] wish him the very best for his retirement,” she said.
Considering the new hire, Woods said that Hughes had “the experience and all round knowledge to lead the CHO through the current challenging operating environment, ensuring that the interests of our members are fully represented at all levels”.
Hughes highlighted that both insurers and credit hire companies are “challenged by the current crisis in the motor supply chain, which threatens to increase frictional costs”.
Hughes’ history
Hughes headed up Horwich Farelly between 2009 and 2013 and is currently a non-executive director at two Drive Further Collective companies – Financial and Legal and MSL. Since 2004, he has also served as a non-executive legal director at Preston North End Football Club.
In addition to these roles, the appointee runs his own firm – Jackson Hughes Consulting, which offers advice and consultancy services to the insurance, claims and legal industries.
Prior to joining the collective, Hughes was chief operating officer at legal services firm Simpson Miller. He also worked in c-suite roles at law firms DWF and Ricksons Solicitors.
Hughes said: “I am looking forward to bringing to the organisation my commercial experience and expertise as well as my understanding of having worked or represented the insurance sector since the early 1990s.
“My career has given me the ability to understand both sides of the argument having also been a director of a company in the accident management sector.”
The appointee further noted that in light of the current challenges faced by the industry, he was “keen to look for areas of common ground to resolve any differences”.
He continued: “[Insurers and credit hire companies] working together to reduce friction is key to ensuring customers can access mobility from our members when they need it.”
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