Sarah Sillars has accepted a seat on the board of trustees at motor industry charity BEN.

Sillars, chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)since 2002, is recognised as a highly respected industry commentator.

With more than twenty five years of experience within the motor and retail industries, she was listed as the tenth most influential person in the UK motor industry and the ‘most powerful’ female executive in the 2008 AM Power List.

David Main, BEN’s chief executive welcomed Sillars to the board and said she will be invaluable in helping to shape BEN’s future.

"Sarah has been a long term supporter of BEN, previously serving as vice president, and she brings to the board an enthusiasm and unparalleled understanding of the industry that we are certain will reap huge rewards for BEN.”