Chris Hanson-Abbott OBE, founder of Brigade Electronics and a pioneer in vehicle safety technology, has died aged 92.
Announcing his death on LinkedIn, Brigade Electronics said Hanson-Abbott died on 13 June 2026.
He founded Brigade Electronics in 1976 after encountering a reversing alarm fitted to a truck while visiting Tokyo. Recognising its potential to improve safety around commercial vehicles, he introduced the technology to Europe and established the business that would become Brigade Electronics.
During the early years of Brigade, Hanson-Abbott worked to promote the adoption of reversing alarms in the UK at a time when the technology was largely unknown outside Japan. He continued to support the development of vehicle safety systems throughout his career.
Over the following decades, the company developed a range of vehicle safety technologies, including reversing alarms, camera monitoring systems, obstacle detection sensors and radar systems designed to improve driver visibility and awareness around commercial vehicles.
In 2014, Hanson-Abbott was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to vehicle road safety.
Today, Brigade products are used in more than 80 countries and across a range of transport, logistics and industrial applications.
Having stepped back from the day-to-day running of the company in recent years, Hanson-Abbott remained closely associated with the business he founded.
Brigade is now led by his son, Philip Hanson-Abbott, who serves as MD.
In a statement, Brigade Electronics said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our founder, Chris Hanson-Abbott OBE, on 13th of June, 2026.
“Chris founded Brigade Electronics in 1976 with a clear vision - to improve road safety and save lives.
“His innovation, leadership and unwavering commitment to making commercial vehicles safer have shaped our company and industry for over 50 years.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Chris will be remembered for his integrity, determination and passion for helping others. His legacy lives on through the values he instilled in Brigade and the impact our products continue to have around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege of working with him.”
