The Chief Executive Officer of IAM RoadSmart, Sarah Sillars OBE has kindly agreed to come to Harrogate and speak to us at our regular monthly meeting on Monday 17th July at Bilton Cricket Club.
I would like to ask all members of the club to make a special effort to come along that evening and afford Sarah the warmest of welcomes. In her relatively short time in post, Sarah has steered some most important developments to the organisation and she is determined to place IAM at the forefront of initiatives to improve safety on UK roads. At the same time, she is seeking to help local groups, such as ours, be as effective as possible as part of the strategy and to make the fullest use of the commitment, interest and experience that volunteer IAM members can offer.
I am sure that she will share her vision and passion to achieve it with us when she comes along but it will also give us all a chance to make suggestions and to air any of our concerns.
The next few years may augur considerable changes to vehicle technology with driverless cars and increasing external management of vehicle speeds and behaviour. The IAM must be an inspired, clear and well informed voice in support of safety and access for two wheeled users of the road networks. With her very varied experience (see biography at end), Sarah brings considerable insight and understanding of the road industry and I am sure that it will be a fascinating evening. Please help make it a good turn-out to show our appreciation of her interest in our group.
Doug Masterton
Chair Harrogate Advanced Bikes
Sarah Sillars, OBE and Hon FIMI, joined the IAM in February 2015.
Her mission will be to improve driving and riding skills and to campaign for legislation to improve road safety.
Sarah joined the charity having overseen the commercialisation of Semta, the sector skills council for engineering and advanced manufacturing.
She has a long and illustrious career within the automotive sector, having been CEO and Executive Chair of the Institute of the Motoring Industry (IMI). They made her an Honorary Fellow and Vice President on her departure in 2012.
Awarded Industry Personality of the Year 2004 and Outstanding Achievement Award 2006 by automotive magazines AM and Motor Trader respectively, Sarah was listed in the UK motor industry’s most influential top ten and the ‘most powerful’ female executive, according to the 2007 AM Power List.
In September 2008 Sarah was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by Bodyshop Magazine in recognition of IMI’s work with ATA in the body repair sector.
She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2008 for services to skills training and the retail motor industry.
Sarah has more than 25 years of experience within the motor and retail industries, having begun her career with Marks & Spencer, managing stores in England and later as Operations Director at automotive management consultancy Anne Gray Associates.
