TRW Automotive Holdings’ president and CEO John Plant is now chairman as well. He has been on the board since 2003.

Plant replaces Neil Simpkins, senior managing director of The Blackstone Group who remains on the board in the newly created role of lead director.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Simpkins had been named chairman in 2003 at the time of Blackstone’s majority purchase of TRW.

“Given Blackstone’s reduced ownership position, the board of directors agreed that the timing for this transition was appropriate,” a statement said.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact