New DVSA Chief Announced

Following the early departure last Autumn of DVSA Chief Alastair Peoples, it has been announced that his successor has been appointed. His name is Gareth Llewellyn who will take up his new role on Monday 14th March.

Here’s what it says about him on the Department for Transport website, “Gareth brings substantial leadership experience across a range of national and international safety-critical industries. He has held senior global roles with both National Grid plc and Anglo American plc and has led businesses through a number of mergers and acquisitions.

As Group Safety, Technical and Engineering Director for Network Rail he led the drive to improve both the culture and safety performance. He is currently one of the Department for Transport’s nominated non-executive directors on the board of the Harwich Haven Authority and has also held board roles at Biffa plc and the Renewable Fuels Agency.”

Whilst from his roles in the past he is evidently an ‘establishment’ man dealing with large public corporations, it is encouraging to see that he has had some commercial experience with National Grid and other companies. On the other hand he may have little experience of the needs and interests of small to medium sized businesses which form the bulk of MOT Testing Stations.

He has arrived at a time of change and some turmoil for the MOT industry – the new online MOT computer installed but still under development, training in the process of being revolutionised with costs switched from DVSA to MOT businesses, whilst DVSA’s service to the MOT industry are under strain and all against a background of poor and declining MOT quality.

Yes, with regard to the MOT he will face some challenges – we sincerely hope he succeeds in successfully meeting them.