The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has appointed Sarah Sillars OBE (pictured) as its new chief executive as she returns full-time to the automotive sector. 

Her goal will be to improve driving and riding skills and to campaign for legislation to improve road safety.

Sillars joins London-based IAM on February 5 having overseen the commercialisation of Semta, the sector skills council for engineering and advanced manufacturing.

She said: “I am delighted to be back playing a significant role in the automotive sector. The IAM has played a unique part in lowering the numbers of people killed and injured on UK roads.

“Many thousands of people have reason to be grateful to the IAM and its passionate volunteers for their advice, guidance and training over the decades.

“With more than 1,700 deaths and 21,000 serious injuries a year on our roads there is still much work to be done.

“My intention is to ensure that we consolidate our experience and expertise, and then change up a gear – to further build on the excellent and vital research, training and lobbying activities that we carry out.

“We will change opinions, driving habits and legislation.”

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity.