David Main is to be the new chief executive of Motor trade charity BEN. He is currently chief executive of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.Main will take over on January 26 from interim chief executive Christopher Macgowan.

A qualified accountant, Main has held senior roles in the healthcare, software, legal and charitable sectors.

Macgowan said: “I am delighted that David has agreed to join BEN’s professional executive and I look forward to working alongside him as I return to my position on the board.

“BEN’s executive team and board have a vast knowledge of the automotive industry and the charitable sector and David brings his business skills and experience to complement our existing strengths.”

Joe Greenwell, Ford of Europe’s vice-president of government affairs and former Jaguar boss, was elected BEN’s new president last month.