Trustee Election Statements 2020

At the IAM RoadSmart's Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on Thursday 19 November 2020 at 12.30pm, Council members Stuart Donald, QPM, John Jenkins, Nicholas Lomas, Nicholas Stein and Jeffrey Willcocks retire at the AGM under Article 21 and being eligible, all offer themselves for re-election:

Mr. Stuart Donald QPM

I joined IAM RoadSmart in 1990. I had just passed my police driving course and qualified as a Class 1 advanced driver and wanted to share my experience and help others improve their driving skills. My first associate passed in her apple green Mini Metro! Last year I passed my IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider test. I learned so much from my observer.

I have been involved with local IAM RoadSmart groups for the last 30 years - held committee positions and enjoyed the many debates on driving and riding, road safety and the latest advice or road safety initiative HQ were promoting. I didn’t really understand the way IAM RoadSmart nationally was operating or supporting membership.  Having retired as a chief police officer it was time to volunteer more to help others which led me last year to become a Trustee of IAM RoadSmart.

I now understand the impressive work IAM RoadSmart do and I share the same passion as the HQ team to improve the safety of riders and drivers.

I recognise my role as a trustee is a strategic one which involves overseeing and supporting the general management of IAM RoadSmart by ensuring the organisation has a clear purpose and direction to deliver its charitable objectives. I bring many years of police command and leadership experience at a local and national level as well as specialist traffic police experience, to support these objectives and so take my trustee responsibilities seriously.

I was appointed a vice chair of IAM RoadSmart in July this year. If re-elected as a trustee I am committed to supporting the Chair, fellow trustees and the delivery team at IAM RoadSmart in leading membership improvements, identifying how IAM RoadSmart can contribute to safer roads post-pandemic, post-Europe and supporting across the country the continuous improvement of local groups.

Mr. John Jenkins

For most of my motoring life I have been interested in improving the skills and abilities of road users, starting with myself.

Accustomed to covering in excess of 30,000 miles per annum as either a car driver or motorcycle rider the need to raise driver and rider standards, irrespective of vehicle type, is beneficial for the safety of self and others plus it helps to keep the roads flowing freely.

I started as a volunteer motorcycle tutor for Norfolk County Council (this predated Bike Safe/Safe Rider courses) before becoming a full member of IAM for both motorcycles and cars.

As a serving Magistrate the bench will be presented with examples of poor driver/rider behaviour and, on occasion, the consequences should a collision occur. This insight is a constant reminder of how our roads need to become safer.

My working life was spent primarily at senior management or executive director level in a highly regulated industry. Roles encompassed sales, strategy, marketing and leading special projects in large, i.e. FTSE listed or overseas equivalent, and SME businesses.

This experience has been beneficial during my first year as a Trustee of IAM RoadSmart. My placement on two Council committees and as chair of a third has enabled me to quickly understand the charity, how it may meet its charitable objectives and benefit all members, both current and future.   

The motoring world is changing very quickly – vehicle technology, power sources, Government policy, ageing population, consumer buying behaviour, post COVID-19 work patterns etc. - and it is vital that IAM RoadSmart is able to respond effectively to those changes.

I would like to think that my experience as both an advanced vehicle user coupled with extensive business experience means that I can make a positive contribution to IAMR’s future during these challenging times should I be re-elected.   

Mr. Nicholas Lomas

Cars and driving have always been an important part of my life and career. I want to put something back into the industry that I remain passionately involved in.  I have a background in financial services including in car insurance and finance. Through my current job I am involved with the leisure use of motor vehicles.

Having been appointed a Trustee just last year I have been learning a great deal about IAM Roadsmart and its work. I would sincerely like to see the organisation grow individual car and bike members and associates and through businesses to improve the standards of driving across the UK. Engaged, interested and alert drivers are also safer drivers with the right skills and training. As an associate and now as a newly qualified Advanced Driver, I have rediscovered the joy, enthusiasm and personal pride which comes from being a safer and better driver. 

I’m currently employed as director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, with a million members, the UK’s largest members’ club. I’m closely involved with road safety and car mobility internationally as a member of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) management council. I am a trustee of a UK pension scheme and a board member of the Tourism Alliance. In my few months involvement with IAM Roadsmart I have become chair of the Nominations Committee, helping recruit a new Trustee and the Interim Chief Executive, and have applied my skills and knowledge to the Finance and Audit Committee during the coronavirus crisis. 

I look forward to helping with the strategic development of IAM Roadsmart in these unprecedented times of change. I understand the volunteer ethos of clubs and associations and am committed to supporting our success through the partnership of staff, volunteers and trustees working together.

Mr. Nicholas Stein

Having already served for a year as an appointed Trustee, I am requesting your vote for election for a full 3-year term. I believe that my knowledge and experience of IAM RoadSmart groups, together with a range of skills gained from my aviation career, is helping to ensure that IAM RoadSmart continues to be a relevant and leading voice in driver training and road safety matters in the face of numerous challenges.

Since 2011, I have been actively involved with IAM RoadSmart holding positions of group chair, chief observer, local observer assessor and Masters mentor.  As chair, I initiated and implemented a successful merger between two adjacent groups which has given me an understanding of the many issues that groups are currently facing.  

Working with fellow trustees and the management team, I am committed to finding ways to widen our appeal to sections of the driving public who have not engaged with us before, whilst delivering value and opportunity to our existing members.

Having spent my professional life as an RAF and commercial pilot I have much experience of operating in a safety-critical culture which has many parallels with road safety. In addition, I spent 20 years as a flying instructor training pilots at all levels; from taking a pupil on their first flight right up to certifying a new captain on a 180-seat jet airliner and training instructors.  With ever busier roads and with the introduction of new technologies, distractions and autonomous cars, appropriate training will become increasingly relevant to improving road safety.  I believe that my extensive knowledge of these areas benefits the governance and strategic planning of IAM RoadSmart into the future.

Mr. Jeffrey Willcocks

I joined IAM RoadSmart in May 2020 and was motivated to do so by the charity’s very worthwhile objective of promoting road safety. After many years of working in a strictly commercial environment, I wanted to be involved in and support a charitable organisation. The IAM head office is located close to where I live, which will help me to devote more of my time. Also, my children are now at University, and I am finding I have more time to devote to my interests.

Although I have been a trustee for only a few months, I have contributed at every opportunity. I have chaired the Finance committee and participated in the council meetings.

I have enjoyed working both with my colleagues in the organisation and the other Trustees.

My background and business experience is in the areas of finance and general management. I have supported and helped organisations develop their strategy and plans. I have also had hands-on involvement in most areas of an organisation, and have helped to implement change and to promote growth.

I very much enjoy working with people, as it’s people who shape and enable an organisation to be successful.

The environment we live in is constantly changing and organisations will need to adapt.

If re-elected as a trustee, I will continue to make a significant contribution in helping the organisation to develop and prosper on its journey ahead.

Proxy voting

If you are unable to attend the IAM RoadSmart AGM on Thursday 19 November 2020 at 12.30pm but would like to cast your vote in the election, please use the postal form available here.