BEN CEO David Main has announced his retirement after seven years with the automotive charity.

Having led the Executive Management Board since 2009, David is credited with overseeing the restructure and expansion of the Support Services function which has enabled the charity to help many more people from the automotive sector and their families with a range of support and care needs. His tenure has also seen big changes including the development of the Lynwood Care Centre and Retirement Village.

In a letter announcing his decision, David said: “My time at BEN has been the most rewarding role of my career, and one of which I am very proud. I was appointed in 2009 and have been privileged to have been at the helm as BEN transitioned to become the multi-service organisation it is today, supporting an ever-growing number of people.

“It was fantastic to be part of the team responsible for the design and build of BEN’s new award-winning integrated Lynwood Care Centre and Retirement Village in Ascot and to see the positive effect it has had on our residents and care team.”

The charity has announced that Zara Ross from the St Monica Trust in Bristol will take over the role of Chief Executive in July 2016. She has a wealth of experience in the care sector and has been responsible for a number of developments and management in care services for children, families and people with disabilities in Scotland during her career.

Robin Woolcock, President and Chair of the Board of Trustees at BEN adds: It is no exaggeration to say David has been the major driving force behind the success and transformation of BEN in recent years. His financial background has proved invaluable as we transitioned from our 100-year-old legacy to the modern multi-faceted, not-for-profit organisation we are today. I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to David for the outstanding work he has done, Ben truly is a totally different organisation from the one he joined.”