Nicola Foster has officially been announced as the new chair of Road Safety GB, with Fay Cannon stepping in to the vice chair role.
Both appointments were approved during Road Safety GB’s AGM in October, with the formal announcement coming during the 2025 National Road Safety Conference (4-5 November).
Nicola started her highways training more than 35 years ago as a technician. She is a Fellow of the IHE and holds a Masters in Road Safety Engineering.
As the chair of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), Nicola is leading the charge for Vision Zero and implementation of the Safe System in Essex.
Nicola became Road Safety GB vice chair in November 2023 and now steps up to the chair position.
Opening the 2025 National Road Safety Conference, Road Safety GB’s flagship event, Nicola said: “It is such a privilege and pleasure to work with the Road Safety GB directors to serve the national road safety community.
“We are anticipating a period of positive change in road safety through which many local authorities and partnerships will be transforming their delivery and working towards multiple goals.
“Road Safety GB will be there to listen to its members’ needs and to support and encourage them through what will be a busy and exciting period.”
Nicola replaces Sam Merison, road safety manager for both the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames and Wandsworth Council, who had served as chair for two years. Reflecting on his time in the role.
Sam said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the chair this past two years engaging with many colleagues on the many challenges in road safety.
“I feel fortunate to have served my time in an exciting moment with the roll out of Safe System courses and the increased advent of enhancing the work that we do with the new technologies that are emerging all the time.”
Meanwhile, Fay Cannon has been appointed Road Safety GB’s new vice chair.
As partnership manager at the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership, Fay works collaboratively with partners to design and deliver initiatives, campaigns and interventions to help the partnership achieve its ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads by 50% by 2030.
Fay said: “I’m very honoured to have been chosen as vice chair of Road Safety GB by the board, and it was a pleasure to speak to so many members at the National Road Safety Conference.
“I look forward to supporting Nicola Foster in her new role as chair and working closely with her and the wider team and members to continue championing road safety across the UK.”
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