Committee 2023

Chairperson - Chris Noble

I joined the military from school in the seventies and served all over the world. I passed my Rospa and IAM in 1980. When I left I went into truck driving and currently drive fuel tankers supporting the offshore industry. After I passed my motorcycle advanced test I progressed on to becoming a National Observer. Currently I hold a F1rst on bikes a R0spa gold qualification and am an group tutor. Recently I passed the IAM Masters certification with distinction and continue daily to help, train and support our trainee observers. I am proud to be the Chairperson of this local group and am very proud of the commitment of all our unpaid volunteers as they provide quality advanced training in a thoroughly professional manner helping to raise the standard of driving on our roads.

Group Treasurer - Alan Fraser

My first experience of using the roads was on a Suzuki moped when at school; this lasted all of four weeks when I was knocked off it in an accident with a car, breaking my ankle and writing off the moped. I decided to wait till I passed the driving test and took to four wheels. A few years later, in 1983, I decided to sit the IAM test, also joining the local Aberdeen group at the same time. I became an Aberdeen group Committee member and Observer for several years. A change of career, getting married and then family brought other priorities which meant I couldn’t commit the time to continue the group responsibilities. However I never gave up the enthusiasm for driving safely. I have spent around twenty years of my working life cycling to and from work, where safety on the road is paramount. I decided to rejoin the local IAM group, hoping that my driving skills had not diminished significantly. I went on to complete the National Observer training and have now become the group treasurer.

Group Secretary & Communications, Website & Newsletter - Glen McAlister

At around 13 I started riding scramblers around farmers fields, as you do in rural Shetland. Then in 1996 I did my first CBT on a Suzuki TS50 which gave me freedom for a year until I passed my driving test in 1997. In 2002 I gained my full bike license. I didn't do any other formal training until 2021 when contacted the AAM to do my advance motorcycle training and with their help I gained a F1rst. It was a natural progression to do the car training and I passed that in 2022 however I didn't gain the F1rst. My examiner encouraged me to try again and on the second attempt I gained it. Now I'm hoping to give something back to the group by joining the committee and helping wherever I can.

Meetings Secretary - Loren Kelly

Observer Liaison (Cars) - Gary Macalister

I passed my Advanced Driving Test in 1987, having earlier attended an evening class run in Shell's premises in Aberdeen. At that time, the Observer was indeed just that, in that I had one run out when he told me all the things that I had to improve and not come back until I had fixed them. My second run out was effectively the pre-test. Shortly after that, "Mitch" Mitchell was increasing the Aberdeen Group's Observer capability and his recruiting advice was "just do as your Observer did". Even then, it was clear that this approach may not have been the best way to go about things. So as an Observer, I just tried to find my own way. Thirty years on, I've had a good number of successful Associates, so it couldn't have been too bad. I took my National Observer qualification in Kingswells at the start of 2017 and followed that up with Local Observer Assessor at the end of 2018. I continue to work in the oil industry with my own consultancy business but spend most of my time on family, sailing and a global role with Rotary. This will be my second term as a Committee member.

Observer Liaison (Bikes) - Phil Lamb

Phil has been riding motorbikes since childhood and has had a bike on the road pretty much all of his adult life. Having lived in London for 10 years he came to enjoy the challenge of filtering and now mainly uses his bike for fun exploring every corner of Scotland, the wider UK (including annual trips to the Isle of Man) as well as occasional trips to Europe. In 2018 he joined the local blood bike group which required him to complete the advanced course and from that he became involved in observing. He is currently a National Bike Observer and since 2022 a member of the AAM committee with responsibility for liaison with Bike Observers and Associates.

Social Events - Kenny Hair

My dad ran a garage workshop for a timber company and consequently I had an early interest in cars, HGVs and tractors. However, after I bought a non-running, decrepit BSA Bantam with a heap of spares for the princely sum of £10 and successfully managed to get it going and then began thrashing it at every opportunity, I developed a love for all things two-wheeled. This passion is very much alive today although I'm not so sure about the poor Bantam... I've competed with off road trials bikes in the past but I'm purely a road biker nowadays, although I'll never say never to a return to off-road fun. A close friend, who was with Aryshire IAM suggested that I become an Advanced Rider and so began my story with the Aberdeen Group. I was lucky to have Joff, our current Chairman, as my Observer and I successfully passed with a F1RST in 2016. Joff also encouraged me to join the Committee as the Social "Ride & Run" Events Coordinator during this period. This is my 4th year on the Committee as Social Events Coordinator.

Committee Member - John Banks

After starting to drive in 1994, John says that it took him far too many years to start the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driving course. It was one of these things that it seemed he would never get round to. The impetus to take up advanced driving was predicated on a desire to be a better, safer, more considerate driver and to enjoy long drives around the country. So finally in 2021, John took the plunge and passed his assessment with a F1RST. This success motivated him to continue to learn and contribute by becoming a Local Car Observer. John aims to get his National Observer qualification as the next step on this journey.

Associate Liaison Car - Stephen Highfield

Young Driver/Rider Advocate - Ron Tomlinson

Committee Member - Gordon Drysdale