The Transport Research Foundation (TRF), the holding company of TRL, has appointed Dr Clive Hickman as its new chairman with effect from 1 November 2022.

Dr Hickman began his career as an engineer at Rover Group

Dr Hickman began his career as an engineer at Rover Group and rose to become chief executive of Tata Motors European Technical Centre via senior positions at MIRA and Ricardo UK. He has been chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) since its formation in 2011 and he will continue his involvement with MTC, becoming chairman in 2023.

A chartered engineer, he holds five honorary doctorates. In September 2021 the Royal Academy of Engineering awarded him the Sir Frank Whittle Medal for outstanding and sustained achievement in engineering, and he was awarded OBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours.

Dr Hickman takes over the role from Charles Rice, who was only the second chairman of the TRF since its privatisation in 1996 and steered the organisation through major changes in its markets, encouraged international collaborations, and oversaw its transformation and successful expansion into new areas.

Paul Campion, CEO of TRL, said: ‘’I am very pleased to welcome Clive to the TRF. Clive is first and foremost a passionate innovator, and his curiosity and passion to find ways to make the world a better place makes him an ideal fit for the TRF.”