About

Introduction

The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users. The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist.

The research and analytical work is carried out both in-house and via external commissions. More details of this work can be found in the publications section.

History

In 1999 RAC Motoring Services, the breakdown business, was sold by its owners; the individual members of the Royal Automobile Club. It was these club members who granted the Foundation a legacy to guarantee its long-term future.

Today the Foundation is a registered charity and independent of both RAC Motoring Services and the Royal Automobile Club.

The Foundation’s charity number is 1002705.

More information about the Foundation’s charitable status can be found at the Charity Commission website.

Who’s who

Neville Jackson – Chair – [email protected]

Neville Jackson became Chair in April 2020 succeeding Joe Greenwell. Neville is also: a Non-Executive Director of the UK Advanced Propulsion Centre; Chair of the UK Automotive Council Strategy Group; a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Committee and a member of the Steering Group for the UK Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce. He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Brighton. Between 2010 and 2019 he was Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Ricardo PLC. He has also been Chair of the UK Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership (2003-2019). He is a graduate of Imperial College, London with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Steve Gooding CB, FCILT, FCIHT – Director – [email protected]

Steve Gooding succeeded Professor Stephen Glaister as Director in May 2015, after a thirty-year civil service career encompassing many transport-related roles, latterly as Director General of Roads, Traffic and Local Group at the Department for Transport. Steve is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK president 2021 and 2022) and of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation, a visiting professor at the University of the West of England’s Centre for Transport and Society (CTS), a trustee of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, chair of the DfT/Innovate UK-sponsored Transport Technology Forum, a member of a number Government advisory bodies, and a regular columnist in Highways magazine.

Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – [email protected]

Dr Elizabeth Box FCIHT – Research Director – [email protected]

Dr Ivo Wengraf FRGS, FCIHT – Research & Data Manager – [email protected]

Dr Tim Chatterton – Data Analyst – [email protected]

Rosa Grey – Office Manager – [email protected]

How the Foundation is governed

The activities of the Foundation are overseen by a board of six trustees.

Neville Jackson is one of the trustees and is chair of the trustee board.

Additionally, Neville Jackson chairs the Foundation’s Public Policy Committee. This advisory body usually consists of around 14 members, including the trustees, predominantly drawn from the worlds of academia, politics and business, all with experience of, or an interest in, transport matters. The committee is consulted about research, strategy, campaigns and future policy.

The Foundation’s day-to-day running is managed by the director, Steve Gooding.

Contacting the Foundation

RAC Foundation staff work predominantly from home so if you have phone and/or email details for the person you want to speak to then approach them directly. Otherwise, please mail: [email protected].

For media inquiries call the press office on 07711 776448 (please leave a message on the mobile or send a text if the phone is not answered).

The Foundation is inside the London Congestion Charging Zone. It is also inside the Ultra-Low Emission Zone:

RAC Foundation

89-91 Pall Mall

London SW1Y 5HS

The office is close to Green Park and Piccadilly underground stations, and Charing Cross mainline station. There is pay and display parking available in Waterloo Place and on St James’s Square for those who are driving.

Please note that the RAC Foundation is legally distinct from, and independent of, both the Royal Automobile Club and RAC Motoring Services, the breakdown business.

To contact the Royal Automobile Club please call 020 7930 2345.

If you are a member of the RAC breakdown service you can get emergency breakdown assistance on 0333 2000 999.

Alternatively you can call the RAC’s general customer service number on 0330 159 1111.

Or visit the RAC website: www.rac.co.uk.