Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, will leave the position at the end of this year to become president of the AA.

Sheila Ranger, head of campaigns, will become acting director until a permanent appointment is made.

King became the first director of the RAC Foundation in 1999 after the demerger and sale of the RAC.

David Holmes CB, RAC Foundation chairman, said: "We are sorry to see Edmund go as he has been an outstanding director and leader of the Foundation over the last eight years. We wish Edmund well for the future.”