The appointment of leading transport expert Professor Stephen Glaister CBE as the new Director of the Royal Automobile Club Foundation has been announced today (25 April).
Professor Glaister will lead the development of the Foundation’s policy and research programmes and be the Foundation’s principal spokesman. He will ensure that realism about transport, and the interests of the responsible road user, are properly represented to the Government and media.
Glaister is currently Professor of Transport and Infrastructure at Imperial College, London. He has written on a wide range of transport subjects, including roads, railways and the London Underground, and is a member of a number of high-level transport boards and committees. He has been an adviser to Government, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Transport, the Rail Regulator and other organisations.
Professor Glaister was also one of the authors of Motoring Towards 2050: Roads and Reality; the RAC Foundation’s study on road investment and pricing strategy for the next 35 years, published in November 2007.
He said: “It is a privilege to be taking over the leadership of the Foundation, especially at such a critical time for transport policy.
“Roads are by far the most important physical infrastructure for meeting the day-to-day needs of the individual and the economy, but successive Governments have not given them nearly enough care and attention.
“We have collectively yet to find acceptable and balanced policies to combat ever worsening congestion. And we all must explore the contribution road users need to make to solve the issue of climate change.
“The Foundation is an independent body, and I aim to build on its considerable achievements in developing fact-based, objective arguments on all issues relating to the responsible road user. Part of that is the important role public transport plays and how all forms of transport work well together.”
Commenting on the appointment, RAC Foundation Chairman David Holmes said: “We are delighted that we have secured someone of Stephen Glaister’s recognised distinction to be our new Director. This appointment will strengthen our reputation as an authoritative and independent contributor to the transport debate. Besides being one of the leading transport economists in the country, Stephen is an accomplished communicator on radio, TV and the press.
At the same time, we will continue to speak up for the responsible motorist on the many issues that affect us all day to day, and campaign to make the roads safer.”
David was also delighted to announce the Foundation’s current Acting Director and Head of Campaigns Sheila Rainger would be promoted to the role of Deputy Director when Stephen takes up his appointment.
He said: “Sheila has taken on the Acting Director role with great energy, expertise and enthusiasm, and the role of Deputy Director is well deserved.”
Professor Glaister is married with one adult son, and currently lives in London. In his spare time he enjoys playing the oboe and runs a chamber orchestra.
ENDS