Steer hires Makwana as autonomous vehicle expert

Consultant Steer has hired Bhavin Makwana as an associate in its New Mobility team.

Steer has been advising public agencies, cities and industry partners on autonomous vehicle (AV) strategy, safety frameworks, service models and deployment planning for several years, including extensive work in North America where commercial pilots and early operating models are more advanced. 

The UK is expected to legalise the operation of self-driving vehicles on public roads in 2026, a change that will move the conversation from experimentation to regulated deployment. Several pilots are already underway across the country, testing the operational, safety and commercial parameters of autonomous services. 

Steer says local authorities will face complex questions around policy, governance, liability, infrastructure readiness and public acceptance.

Makwana brings experience in self-driving technologies, zero-emission fleets and the regulatory and investment frameworks that support safe, real-world deployment.

In a senior leadership role at Zenzic, he helped shape national programmes to advance the UK’s connected and automated mobility ecosystem, led the organisation’s Insights programme, and guided strategic funding for the sector. 

His international work includes advising the Chamber of Progress in the US on societal and policy considerations surrounding AV adoption.
Alongside his AV expertise, Makwana has delivered work across EV charging infrastructure, fleet transition and the digital and physical systems needed for next-generation transport networks. 

Matt Clark, head of New Mobility at Steer, said: “Bhavin joins Steer at such a critical time for new mobility. As UK public authorities prepare for this shift, the path to deployment will be shaped less by technological barriers and more by challenges around public acceptance, regulation, supply chains, maintenance and skills, commercial models, and questions of who ultimately pays for adoption at scale. Steer is ready to support organisations navigating these issues with the strategic insight and practical expertise needed to plan for safe, effective and future-ready deployment.”