The chairman of the trustees at the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, David Tarrant, has stepped down with immediate effect and is succeeded in the chair role by Ginny Clarke, CBE.
Mr Tarrant steps down after serving nine years as a trustee. He was appointed chairman of the trustees in February 2019, and 'made significant steps forward in terms of investment strategy and governance', the RJRF said in a statement.
He also guided the making of grants to major projects including the ambitious 150 Competition celebrating 150 years since the birth of the Fund’s founder, William Rees Jeffreys, which awarded funding to projects that will help change the future experience of roads for everyone.
Mr Tarrant commented: 'I’m delighted to be handing the reins over to Ginny, someone with great experience in the highway sector and well known to everybody.
'In my time working on the Fund with Ginny she has given real commitment and enthusiasm to take forward the huge range of work we get involved in and I know that the Fund is in excellent hands for the future.'
Ms Clarke has been a trustee since April 2016 and vice chair since February 2019. She was involved in the creation of Highways England, now National Highways as well as working as its director of strategic planning.
Prior to that, she was the first woman to take on the role of chief highway engineer at the former Highways Agency.
Ms Clarke said, 'I am pleased to be taking over the chair of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund from David who has provided strong and enthusiastic leadership during his time as Chairman and trustee.
'We are grateful for his vision and how he has energised the Fund creating a lively and proactive approach to advance the Fund’s objectives. I am looking forward to my time as chair and being part of an enthusiastic group of Trustees who will continue making the work of the Fund relevant to today and tomorrow’s exciting developments for the future of roads.'
She will be supported by trustee Andy Graham, who has agreed to take on the role of vice chair, where he will focus on overseeing the Fund’s investments and finances.
