The FIA Foundation has appointed Sheila Watson as its first Director of Environment, to oversee environmental policy initiatives and research projects.
Prior to joining the FIA Foundation, Sheila Watson was Special Adviser to Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett MP, who served as Foreign Secretary (2006-7) and Environment Secretary (2001-2006) in the UK Government. An economist by training, Sheila has previously worked at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies.
The FIA Foundation’s Director General, David Ward, said: “When the FIA Foundation was first established in 2001, we took a strategic decision to focus our efforts and resources primarily on the neglected issue of global road safety. Over the past five years the FIA Foundation has built an international reputation for leadership and policy innovation in promoting global road safety. With Sheila’s appointment we are now looking to develop the Foundation’s environmental profile, with the aim of bringing the same brand of innovative and strategic policy direction to issues such as fuel efficiency, air quality and sustainable mobility”.
Sheila Watson, Director of Environment, said: “I am delighted to join the FIA Foundation in this important role and look forward to helping the Foundation make a positive impact in global environmental policy and to build on our existing environmental activities, including support for UNEP’s Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles and our independent EcoTest consumer information programme on vehicle emissions”.