Motor industry charity BEN has appointed Gerard Barclay as its new chief executive. Barclay, who is currently business director of Walon, replaces Geoffrey Atkinson, who retires in October after 25 years with the company

Working from BEN's office in Berkshire, Barclay will be finding new ways to raise money for the charity. Every year, it needs to find £10m to support its four nursing homes, which provide care for more than 400 people.In his 25 years in the industry Barclay has worked for carmakers, automotive retailers and logistics.