When you sit across from Habbab Mehr, you’re not met with rehearsed talking points or corporate buzzwords. Instead, you find someone who speaks about the future as if it’s already arrived - and about change as though it’s simply part of life.
As the CEO of Fleeto, one of London’s leading PCO rental companies, and the man behind several other successful ventures spanning insurance, auto repairs, claims management, and digital media, Habbab has built his career on staying ahead of the curve. Still, even for someone as forward-thinking as him, the rise of autonomous vehicles presents a challenge unlike any other.
“It’s exciting, no doubt about it - but there’s a lot of uncertainty too,” he says. “Any business leader who’s being honest will tell you the same. We’re all trying to understand how this will affect not just our companies, but also our people, our customers, and the wider industry.”
Keeping His Feet on the Ground as the Industry Shifts
As news of self-driving cars began dominating headlines over the past few years, many in the automotive world either panicked or tried to dismiss the idea entirely. Habbab chose a different path.
“I wasn’t in a rush to make big declarations,” he reflects. “I simply started listening, reading up, talking to people in the field, and learning from those who’ve been studying this technology for years.”
Where some saw the arrival of driverless cars as a threat, Habbab saw new possibilities. His focus was on preparing his businesses for what’s ahead - investing in technology, improving internal processes, and, perhaps most importantly, encouraging his teams to stay curious and adaptable.
“We didn’t need to solve everything right away,” he says. “We just needed to start asking the right questions - and to keep asking them.”
Looking at the Bigger Picture
What sets Habbab apart is his ability to connect the dots across his different businesses. While Fleeto remains at the heart of his group, it’s supported by AVX Auto Repairs, Simple Claims, Cubit Insurance, and Ryelogic.
“Whether it’s repairing a vehicle packed with sensors or figuring out who’s responsible if an accident involves no driver, we’re already encountering early versions of the problems that lie ahead,” he explains.
By seeing the bigger picture, Habbab has developed a calm approach to change. “When you understand how everything fits together, you stop seeing disruption as a threat and start seeing it as an opportunity.”
Putting People First
When asked what keeps him steady through all this change, Habbab replied without hesitation: it’s his team.
“Technology evolves. Business models evolve. But people - their values, their need for trust, respect, and support - that doesn’t change,” he says.
He’s made a point of including his staff every step of the way. That means providing training, being open about future plans, and creating an environment where everyone feels involved.
“I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But my team knows we’ll find the answers together. We’re in this as one unit.”
Shaping the Road Ahead
Habbab has no interest in standing on the sidelines during this period of change. Whether it’s trialling new technologies, forming partnerships, or reimagining how Fleeto will serve its customers, his goal is to actively shape the future.
“Every generation faces its own kind of disruption. Ours just happens to come on wheels - without a driver,” he says with a smile.
Behind the light-hearted comment, though, is a clear sense of purpose. For Habbab, leadership is about staying true to your values, keeping an open mind, and constantly looking for ways to grow.
As the journey towards autonomous vehicles continues, it’s leaders like Habbab Mehr who remind us that while the technology may change, the real driver of success remains vision, resilience, and a human touch.
