Sir Gerald Acher has been announced as the next chairman of the Brooklands Museum Trust, and will succeed Mike Bannister, who himself took over from the 13-year tenure of Lord Trefgarne in November last year.
Acher is an life-long classic car enthusiast who has completed the Peking-Paris rally on two occasions – the first time winning the Spirit of the Rally Award. "I am thrilled to have been asked to chair this unique and vital part of our motoring and aviation heritage," he said. "I am much looking forward to working with Mike Bannister and his fellow trustees, with Allan Winn and his executive team, as well as with the 800 volunteers who make Brooklands so special."
Acher has been prominent in the charity, voluntary and business sectors since retiring from City firm KPMG in 2001, and is currently deputy chairman of Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd – a post from which he is expected to stand down shortly.
Bannister said: "When I agreed to assume the role as interim chairman, my first action was to initiate a robust and comprehensive process to identify an individual with all of the right skills, qualities, personality and gravitas to take the museum significantly forward in pursuit of the Trust's strategy and objectives. In Sir Gerald we have found that individual and I, and my fellow trustees, look forward to further success for the museum under his stewardship."
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC