Wayve, the UK-based autonomous driving technology company, has announced the appointment of Max Warburton as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A distinguished figure in the automotive industry, Warburton brings over 25 years of experience in investment banking, equity research, and corporate strategy, which he has honed in senior roles across Europe, the US, and Asia.
Most recently, Warburton served as Advisor to the Management Board and Head of Special Projects at Mercedes-Benz, working closely with the company’s CEO to shape corporate strategy. His career also includes a long tenure as an equity analyst, where he covered the global auto industry at major financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Bernstein, receiving widespread recognition for his industry insights. Warburton was awarded Institutional Investor’s No.1 ranking for auto industry analysis 14 times and was inducted into the Institutional Investor Hall of Fame.
In addition to his experience with Mercedes-Benz, Warburton has held advisory positions on the boards of prominent automotive and tech firms. These include YASA Motors, a start-up developing advanced electric motors, and Rimac Group, which specialises in high-performance electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. His most recent role was as a senior advisor at Kimmeridge Energy, a US-based private equity firm.
Warburton’s appointment marks a significant addition to Wayve’s leadership as the company looks to scale up its operations globally. Known for its work in Embodied AI for autonomous vehicles, Wayve aims to revolutionise the development of autonomous driving by using an AI-first approach. Its technology combines machine learning with real-world driving data to build more adaptable autonomous systems.
Warburton has been involved with Wayve over the past year as an advisor on automotive strategy, a role in which he gained insight into the company’s objectives and technology. His appointment as CFO formalises this relationship, with Warburton set to oversee financial operations, manage investor relations, and support strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other industry players.
Wayve’s Co-Founder and CEO, Alex Kendall, expressed confidence in Warburton’s ability to drive the company’s growth. Kendall commented, “Max is a powerhouse in the auto industry, and we’re thrilled to welcome him as CFO. His insights have already been instrumental in establishing our go-to-market strategy, and I look forward to partnering with him to supercharge our commercial growth and scale the business globally.”
Warburton also shared his enthusiasm for the role, noting his confidence in Wayve’s approach to autonomous driving technology. “I have got to know Wayve in an advisory capacity over the last 12 months and have become increasingly convinced that its end-to-end approach to ADAS and automated driving will succeed both technically and commercially. I am delighted to join Wayve as CFO and to support the next stages of the company’s development and value creation.”
The announcement comes amid rapid growth in the autonomous vehicle sector, with demand for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) driving increased competition among tech firms. Wayve’s use of AI to navigate complex urban environments is seen as a unique approach, with the company aiming to expand its technology to a broader market. To learn more, please visit www.wayve.a
