NTARC and Roadteam founder had senior roles over four decades with insurer
Truck insurer NTI has paid tribute to industry and company veteran Owen Driscoll following his retirement after 43 years with the firm.
Most recently having held to post of NTI national manager of industry and government relations, Driscoll was described as not just a witness to the constant change in heavy motor insurance but a “key driver” of that change.
Since joining NTI, formerly R&G Insurance Consultants, in 1974, Driscoll held many key roles, including acting-CEO.
He oversaw the London delegation and appointment of the company as Lloyds Brokers representatives in Australia and launched branch offices in Newcastle, Melbourne, Parramatta and Perth.
Driscoll established NTI’s Roadteam network and founded the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) in 2002.
“The research centre was an evolution of a feeling that we were underutilising the accident information and the corresponding statistics available to us,” Driscoll says in a statement.
“Ultimately we realised that you can’t fix a problem if you don’t know where it starts.”
Driscoll has represented NTI on numerous boards and industry bodies, and his commitment to road safety has been a growing force throughout his career.
His lengthy career is also endorsed by numerous accolades, including the Don Watson Memorial Award in 2006 for outstanding commitment to road safety and the road transport industry, as well as recognition in 2015 by the Australian Road Transport Hall of Fame as an industry icon for commitment to road safety through road accident research.
Upon leaving NTI, Driscoll says he’s appreciative of the many who have influenced his contribution, but there is one person he is most indebted to.
“All pale into insignificance when it comes to my wife and best friend, Kate,” he states.