The World's oldest Motor Club are making some changes to their organisation to pave way for future success.
The Midland Automobile Club, founded in January 1901 and operators of the World Famous Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb since 1905, have appointed a new Club Secretary as the successor to Roger Thomas who is preparing for eventual retirement. Roger, who has held the role since 1999, will continue as Competition Secretary making way for Neville Thomson who takes up this most prestigious role with effect from 1st September 2010.
Neville joins the MAC from a Sporting background, growing up in the Midlands, playing Tennis to National standard and becoming a member of the Junior Davis Cup squad in 1977/78. Having played at Junior Wimbledon and deciding he needed to earn a living he continued his education at St Pauls in Cheltenham training in Leisure & Recreational Management. A Sports Business interest allowed him to continue his passion for sport and his work saw him managing clubs in Somerset, Gloucester, Swindon and Norfolk including the Historic Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in North London - founded in 1880. Still a keen sportsman, playing Masters Tennis and Squash, and a keen golfer he has been Hillclimbing for the last 8 years and thoroughly enjoys the sport he grew up watching. He currently runs an 1100cc OMS single seater. "The chance to work at this most Famous of all Motor Sport venues is a highlight in my career and I look forward to the challenge of protecting the history of this great venue, developing the future and at the same time looking after the interests of the members!"
The MAC, which secured a new lease for Shelsley Walsh in 2005, now has responsibilty for the Courtyard buildings close to the Paddock and much work has been done to renovate these, creating the new Stratstone Restaurant, "The Shelsley Walsh Water Mill", an Archive Room and plans are moving forward to create a new Club Office and rooms to house more facilities for the Club. The New Secretary's role will include the promotion of these facilities and the creation of new Business at the venue.
In the 109 years of the Club, Neville is only the 14th Secretary of the Club and was welcomed to the Club by Club President John Moody. John confirmed that "Neville can rely on my support and that of the Committee, who see this as an important step in the future development of both the MAC and Shelsley Walsh".
MAC Chairman Nick Harrison added "Roger has done a sterling job over the past eleven years and we are pleased to have his continued involvement managing the competition aspects of the Club.
Neville joins us as we embark on another important phase in the history of the MAC. A phase which necessitates a focus on these wonderful assets we now have not just on competition days but throughout the year. I am certain that the experience Neville brings to his new role will be one of the keys to our success in the future".
