Our people make IAM RoadSmart the organisation it is today. Without the hard work of the Board, our CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and all employees across the country, we could not achieve our vision of improving the safety of UK roads. Click below to learn more about the people who help to keep IAM RoadSmart at the forefront of driver and rider training.
Patron
HRH The Duke of Kent
We are delighted to have HRH The Duke of Kent as IAM RoadSmart's Patron.
For a number of years the Duke was Patron of the IAM Motoring Trust, but as this has been more fully integrated into the IAM, the Duke has agreed to extend his patronage to IAM RoadSmart.
Honorary President
Nigel Mansell
Formula 1 Racing legend Nigel Mansell was appointed IAM president in 2006. Mansell brings a lifetime of driving experience to IAM RoadSmart and joined racing drivers John Surtees, the late Graham Hill, Sir Stirling Moss and motorcyclist Geoff Duke who have all passed their IAM RoadSmart test.
"I believe driving expertise isn't just for the race track. My grandfather always told me that it is no good lying on a hospital bed saying 'But I had the right of way'. That is why drivers and riders can gain so much from preparing for their IAM RoadSmart test. I was honoured to take the Presidency of such a well regarded organisation and I hope that we can inform and educate more drivers and riders than ever before."
Young Rider Training Ambassador
Ben Schooling
"Ben is IAM RoadSmart's Young Riding Ambassador for Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists. He began riding on his 17th birthday, having developed a passion at a young age for riding pillion with his dad.
He understands the challenges young riders face and as a result chose to represent IAM RoadSmart as an Ambassador focusing on training and recruitment. Ben rides daily and loves covering miles on his bike a BMQ S1000XR. He has gained his National Observer and Masters - the highest standard of civilian driving and riding, and he hopes to use his experience to drive the next generation of bikers into the Advanced training program."
Independent Road Safety Advisor
Meera Naran, MBE
Meera is an independent road safety campaigner who has personally experienced tragedy and loss on UK roads. Since, she has used her voice and drawn on her own experience, to help lobby the government on key campaigns that will improve safer roads for all, including Smart Motorways, changes to the Highway Code around motorway driving, with further focus on Vision Zero, to eliminate road traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
We’re thrilled that Meera has joined us as an Independent Road Safety Advisor, and we are hopeful that together, we can make a difference to improve UK roads safer for all.
A quote from Meera: “I came to campaigning after the loss of my son Dev in a road traffic collision. I’m proud to be working with IAM RoadSmart and hope together we can make a difference.”
Group and Community Ambassador
Des Shillingford
"Des is a Finance Director for an Academy Trust and Chair for the Chelmsford Advanced Motorists.
His passion is safe, fun driving and he hopes to persuade people of the value that safe driving can bring, and how it develops peace of mind, enabling other things like leisure and trips with friends.
Out of his road safety commitments and passion, he is also a Chair of Governors for a local school and enjoys fixing mobility scooters for another charity."
Young
Campaigning Ambassador
Sophie Lyden
"Sophie is a Depot Manager of her family's garage based in Morecombe. Her journey in the automotive industry has shaped her passion for road safety, and her commitment to making our roads safer today for generations to come.
Daily, she sees a range of vehicles passing through her garage, many of them neglected and unsafe. She has made it her mission to provide informative and practical advice to help people stay safe on the road, sharing insights on her social media channels so that they can make safer decisions for themselves and those around them."
Drink Drive Rehabilitation Ambassador
Shaun Whiter
"In 2016, Shaun Whiter helped a friend change a tyre on his car. He was hit by a dangerous driver, who fled the scene, leaving him for dead. He survived the incident, thanks to East Anglia Air Ambulance, but had to have both legs amputated.
As a result of the incident, Shaun now uses his experience to be a force for good, educating young people in the footballing community, his passion, to talk about distracting driving as well as being an advocate for drink-drive rehabilitation.
Shaun is committed to making roads safer for all, working with IAM RoadSmart to make a difference by saving lives and reducing the risk of serious injury on-road."
Chairman
Stuart Donald QPM
Vice Chair
Nick Lomas
Our Chairman and Vice Chair support the IAM RoadSmart vision. They play a key role in shaping the strategy, vision and purpose of IAM RoadSmart along with their fellow Council members.
Trustees
'Our Trustees bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the IAM RoadSmart Board. All our Trustees are volunteers and dedicate their time to ensure the charity receives it mission.'
Nick Stein
Nick is a former airline training captain with 35 years experience of in flight safety and pilot training.
After university Nick joined the RAF as a pilot, flying C-130 Hercules on worldwide operations including famine relief in Ethiopia. He has been a member of IAM RoadSmart since 2011 and has held the positions of Group Chairman and Chief Observer. He is currently active as a National Observer and Masters Mentor.
Sarah Whiteside-Jones
Sarah is Head of Membership and External Affairs at the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Sarah has worked in the membership sector for 16 years and has held senior positions since 2015. She is passionate about education, membership and helping organisations deliver great member value by placing member needs at the heart of the organisation.
Victoria Milford
Victoria is the Founder of Reward Heads, an independent consultancy specialising in Retail, Hospitality and Voluntary sectors.
Victoria joined at the end of 2022 as Trustee and Chair of our Remuneration Committee with oversight of People and Reward. She is passionate about ensuring people are rewarded, informed, and motivated in the most appropriate way to deliver organisational objectives effectively.
Mark Powell
Mark has extensive international experience in multiple areas. He held senior positions with Fujitsu/ICL, Ernst and Young, BPP Professional Education, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Mark has over ten years’ experience as a Trustee with organisations in the not-for-profit sector. He is a firm believer in the benefits of education and training in developing individuals and organisations and now volunteers his time in this space, including being an IAM National Observer.
Rupert Newman
Rupert currently runs his own coaching & consulting business, but prior to that he worked for 27 years in senior leadership & Board Director roles for a number of businesses across the food & healthcare sectors.
Rupert has been a member of the IAM since 2021 & is also a volunteer Bloodbiker in his spare time. He is passionate about helping people & organisations simplify how they do what they do, so that they can deliver a great job for their customers & Members.
Tom Kelman
Angela Bell
Angela has a long-standing relationship with IAM Roadsmart. She took her advanced driving test in 1996 and quickly became an Observer and committee member with her local Group.
Angela went on to become Group Chair before taking on the role of Regional Groups Co-ordinator, a voluntary role and continued to exist in Northern Ireland until more recently. She is a National Observer, a member of the Regional Training Team, and a Masters mentor, having passed the Masters test with distinction.
Mark Armitage
Mark joined The Institute of the Motor Industry (The IMI) in 2015, initially leading the UK business development team.
Mark moved roles in 2017 to lead the external quality and assessment department. He is now the Group Commercial Director for Autotech Group, a specialised group of companies providing employers with talent and technology solutions, including multiple areas.
Policy and
Standards Director
Nick Lyes
Policy
Advisor
Neil Greig
Chief Executive Officer
Antony Kildare
Antony is a highly experienced and accomplished Chief Executive and senior business leader who has worked extensively in economic development, business investment, enterprise innovation, complex infrastructure and regeneration programmes, in health, social care, education, children’s services and community and neighbourhood development projects across the UK and Europe.
He has a strong commercial background and over twenty-five years’ experience in building collaborative relationships, partnerships, joint ventures and special purpose companies with public, private and not for profit clients and stakeholders to deliver performance improvement, organisational change, restructuring and business transformation.
He has also held a number of non-executive chair and trustee roles during his career. Antony’s previous appointments include CEO, board and senior executive roles in regional development, healthcare, leisure, professional services, education, charities and a period at the Department of Trade and Industry. Tony said;
‘I am delighted and privileged to join IAM RoadSmart, the leading national charity for road safety. It has a dedicated team and an impressive history and record of success in keeping people of all ages safe on Britain’s roads. There has never been a more important time to encourage, train and support drivers and motorcyclists.'
People & Culture
Director
Nicola Smith
Finance
Director
Andrew McLachrie
Policy & Standards
Director
Nick Lyes
Marketing & Communications Director
Kat Hyde
Having joined in 2021, Kat brings over 20 years’ marketing experience working in education and membership sectors.
Kat has previously worked for Pearson and The Institute of the Motor Industry, and is now leading the marketing team to modernise and improve our delivery to support members and Groups, whilst helping to drive the strategic direction of the charity.
IAM RoadSmart
Chief
Examiner
Richard Gladman
Richard joined IAM RoadSmart as a member in 2004 whilst still enjoying his career in the Police as a driver and rider trainer. He then became an employee in 2014 after retiring from his full time role at the Metropolitan Police Motor Driving School, and since has become our Chief Examiner. Richard is responsible for maintaining our on-road standards and ensuring our ASDM team is on message across the UK.
Alongside this, he ensures that the organisation and the skills of its drivers and riders stays up to date. Outside of the office, Richard is a self-proclaimed petrol head and can often be found travelling up and down the country, at our various skills day events and presenting to our groups at their meetings.
Head of
Field Service
Delivery
Amanda Smith
Amanda's journey with IAM RoadSmart began in 2003 when she started volunteering for the organisation, which led her to become a full-time employee in 2011. She now holds the position of Head of Field Service Delivery, overseeing the entire ASDM team. Before, Amanda's professional experience was with Sussex Police, where she served as a Traffic Officer.
Having spent over two decades working in road safety, Amanda has become an invaluable member of the IAM RoadSmart community. Her passion for the cause is evident in her love for working with other volunteers, and she considers it to be the best part of her job. With her expertise and commitment, Amanda continues to make a significant contribution towards making our roads safer for all.
Regional Service Delivery Team Manager - South West
Shaun Cronin
Shaun has recently celebrated 7 years with IAM RoadSmart and looks after the South West England region. Many of you may have already met him at one of our Skills Days, which he has helped organise for over 5 years. Shaun has also had the pleasure of taking national treasure Mary Berry out for her Mature Driver Review, which of course included cake!
Shaun served with Dorset Police for 30 years and spent nearly 20 years within Traffic as an advanced driver and rider. As a Traffic Inspector, he was responsible for managing investigations into complex and fatal road traffic collisions. He was also a Police Search Advisor and Security Coordinator which involved the planning and delivery of numerous major security events.
Regional Road Safety Manager Scotland and North
Stewart Mackie
Stewart has recently joined the team having retired from Police Scotland in May 2024. Stewart has had been part of the IAM RoadSmart family previously, having passed his IAM RoadSmart test at 18 and thereafter fulfilled roles as an observer and as an
examiner. He has significant operational experience across a wide range of policing disciplines including the Deputy Head of Road Policing for Scotland.
In his new role, his focus will be to work with Groups and volunteers to develop and enhance partnership working with key stakeholders across Scotland, North East and North West England. He will support Groups to champion
the work already carried out by our excellent team of volunteers.
Area Service Delivery Manager - South East England
Stuart Haythorn
Stuart completed 30 years in the Police as a firearms officer before moving to the Roads Policing Unit. Whilst still serving, he joined IAM RoadSmart and worked his way to Chief Observer within his local group. Stuart completed his Masters whilst with the group and was then invited to become an Examiner and Masters Mentor.
Stuart was previously the ASDM for Region 2 returning to the role after a year travelling with his wife and labradoodle in their campervan. Stuart feels great to be back working with the staff and volunteers of the UK's leading road safety charity, sharing his passion with enthusiasts, united in their desire to develop skills and make our roads safer.
Area Service Delivery Manager - East England
and Anglia
Peter Doherty
Pete has been with IAM RoadSmart for 25 years and brings a host of experience. Starting off as an Observer for his local group, he then went on to be an Examiner, before becoming a full-time Area Service Delivery Manager. Pete previously worked for the police for 30 years and spent his final years as a car and bike instructor at the police driving school.
Pete looks after the East Central England and Anglia region and loves that his hobby has turned into this full-time role, where he can meet a diverse community of like-minded people who have the same goal of safer riding and driving.
Area Service Delivery Manager - West England/South Wales
Robbie Downing
Robbie has been part of the IAM RoadSmart community since 1988, and since that time he has worked as a Car and Motorcycle Examiner and Staff Examiner, before coming an Area Service Delivery Manager in 2017.
For just shy of 40 years Robbie worked with Avon and Somerset Police either on Roads Policing or with the Driver Training Unit as a Car and Motorcycle Trainer. During the lockdown, he returned to Driver Training Unit for 6 weeks and trained two new motorcycle trainers. Robbie feels that his role gives him the chance to use his driving and motorcycle knowledge to help others develop their skills.
Area Service Delivery
Manager - North
East England
Steve Ellis
Area Service Delivery
Manager - North Wales and North West England
David Cox
Area Service
Delivery Manager
- Scotland
Steven Miller