IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, has announced the appointment of Shona Johnstone as chair. She joins the board in April, bringing extensive experience in transport policy and sustainable infrastructure to the role.
Johnstone, currently portfolio director for housing and infrastructure at the Thames Estuary Growth Board, has previously held senior roles including vice chair of the Local Government Association Economy and Transport Board, and served on both the Commission for Integrated Transport and the National Cycling Strategy Board.
A long-time advocate for safer roads, Johnstone said she was “thrilled to be joining IAM RoadSmart as chair at such an important time” and added: “The charity has a strong history, and its staff, members and volunteers have a real dedicated passion to raising standards on our roads. I look forward to working with the trustees during this period of transformation spearheaded by Tony Kildare and his senior team. I’d also like to thank Stuart for his strong stewardship of the charity over the last four years and wish him well as the new vice president.”
She replaces outgoing chair Stuart Donald QPM, who has been a member of IAM RoadSmart for 34 years and joined the council as a trustee in 2020, becoming chair in 2021. A former police officer, Donald will now take on the role of vice president.
“When I became chair in 2021, the country was just emerging from the pandemic,” he said. “I am immensely proud of the progress we’ve made at IAM RoadSmart since then and I’d like to thank Tony, the team and all our members for their dedication and hard work. I am delighted that I can still play a part in the future of the charity as vice president, and I’d also like to wish Shona all the best as our new chair.”
IAM RoadSmart chief executive Antony Kildare welcomed the appointment, saying: “Everyone at IAM RoadSmart is excited to welcome Shona as our new chair; she brings a wealth of experience and positive energy that perfectly complements our transformation plans. I’d also personally like to thank Stuart for everything that he has done to help shape the charity as chair and I am delighted he will continue to support our purpose as our new vice president.”
