Former Ford of Britain chairman Joe Greenwell has been appointed chairman and trustee of the RAC Foundation.

Greenwell, who was awarded a CBE in June 2011, had also served as president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in 2009 and 2010.

He said: “After a lifetime in the automotive industry I am very familiar with the important and independent work the RAC Foundation does and I am honoured that I have been given the opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s continued success.

“Rarely have the issues surrounding road transport – safety, taxation, carbon emissions, funding – been so far up the political agenda. I aim to keep them there and ensure the foundation continues to make a meaningful contribution to debate at the highest levels.”