RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

January 22, 2004
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR RoSPA

John Howard, Director of Safety Policy at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, has been appointed RoSPA’s new Chief Executive.

Mr Howard of Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, joined the Society 19 years ago from industry as Director of Home and Leisure Safety. He later became responsible for road safety as well, and then in 1992 for all areas of RoSPA’s campaigning, including safety at work.

He has been responsible for promoting change in a wide cross-section of fields, from the need for fire-safe furniture and factory-fitted plugs on electrical goods to the latest law banning the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. He has helped to establish RoSPA as one of the world’s leading safety organisations.

Mr Howard was awarded the OBE in 2002 for his services to safety.

He said: “RoSPA is a charity with a history stretching back more than 80 years. I have been proud to play my part in its recent successes and now hope to lead the Society into an even stronger position.

“I will still be actively involved in helping to formulate safety policy, but will play a greater role in expanding our business arm through the promotion of RoSPA membership, training and consultancy services and safety products.”

He succeeds Dr John Hooper, who left the Society in November last year.