Following the British Motorsport Trust (BMT) trustee meeting on 19 August, the BMT and Motorsport UK would like to announce that Rod Parkin has been appointed as a new independent Trustee and will take up the position of Trust Chair with effect from 2 November 2021.

The BMT is an established UK Registered Charity formed to improve safety and volunteer officials training for Motorsport UK regulated competition. Mr Parkin from Leeds in West Yorkshire began his motorsport career in 1964 and since then has built up a wealth of motorsport experience, including becoming International FIA Steward, member of the FIA Historic Commission and since 1977, Clerk of the Course for Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.

Rod Parkin, British Motorsport Trust Chair elect commented:

“I am incredibly honoured to become Chair of the BMT and to be involved in something I am so very passionate about, and I would like to thank current acting Chair Nicky Moffitt, General Secretary Allan Dean-Lewis and all the trustees for their support. Throughout my career in motorsport, I have built up a wide range of experience and had a lot of exposure to different scenarios, accruing a good level of knowledge from grassroots motorsport. I hope to continue the exceptional work of the BMT in the wider motorsport community, and I would like to continue the ongoing projects and encourage and help more clubs and individuals to progress to benefit the safety and the future of our sport.”

Commenting on this appointment, Nicky Moffitt, Acting Chair of the British Motorsport Trust and Motorsport UK Board Member said:

“Following the recent tragic passing of our former Trust Chair, Richard Parry-Jones CBE, I am very grateful to the Trustees for their unstinting support during my time as interim Chair and look forward to remaining as an independent member of the Board of Trustees and supporting Rod in his new role as Trust Chair when he takes office in November.”

Appointment of Acting Chairman and new Trustee at the British Motorsport Trust

The British Motorsport Trust (BMT), an established UK Registered Charity formed to improve safety and training in Motorsport UK regulated four-wheeled motor sports, has announced that Nicky Moffitt has been appointed as Acting Chairman, with effect from 18 th May 2021. At the same Trustees Meeting, Katie Traxton has also been appointed as a new independent Trustee.

Nicky, from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, has served as a Trustee of the BMT since 2006,having been first elected to that position when he became Chairman of the Regional Committee of Motorsport UK, but now serving as an independent Trustee.

An active competitor in all forms of club motorsport up to International level until he retired in 1985, Nicky has accumulated many years of organisational and administrative experience across the sport, including a period of 39 years as Secretary of the Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs until 2019, as well as having represented Northern Ireland at National Governing Body level for over 40 years.

Katie is currently Chief Communications Officer at Formula E, as well as a non-executive director for the European Sponsorship Association. She started her career working for five years in the FIA World Rally Championship in a variety of marketing, communications and operations roles before moving to BP Castrol to work across their international motor sport portfolio then diversifying to wider sports and entertainment.

With over a decade’s experience campaigning for equality and inclusivity in and out of the workplace, Katie joins the Trust with a keen desire to add her unique perspective to the wealth of experience of her fellow trustees, so that they can work together to play a part in shaping the next era in support of British motor sport.

Commenting on both appointments, Nicky Moffitt, Acting Chairman of the British Motorsport Trust, said:

“Following the recent tragic death of our former Trust Chairman, Richard Parry-Jones CBE, I am very grateful to the Trustees for their support in appointing myself as interim Chairman, until such time as a suitable permanent successor is identified. My aim is to lead the Trust through the continuing programme of developments that had already commenced to raise awareness of the Trust within our community, and strengthen the ability of the Trust to make grants to support appropriate safety and training programmes, thus offering a benefit for everyone engaged in the motorsport community throughout the UK and its islands, and also respecting the memory and legacy which Richard Parry-Jones left with us.

“With the welcome appointment of Katie Traxton as an independent Trustee, she brings her own marketing and promotional expertise – and much more besides – as essential new skills to benefit the Trust, and I look forward to Katie’s contribution to the work of the Trust, which also demonstrates our commitment to welcoming new perspectives as we move into the future.”

Commenting on her appointment, Katie Traxton said:

“When Richard Parry-Jones contacted me about joining the British Motorsport Trust, I was honoured to have been considered. I hope I can do my appointment justice, making a positive impact on British motor sport and also in Richard’s honour. My first job is to spend as much time as possible listening and learning, so if anyone has thoughts or ideas about what’s working well or what we should be doing more of, please do get in touch.”

To find out more about Katie, please visit LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter @ktraxton.