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RNA elects first woman chair
Page 9
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• With the election of Val Smith, the Road Haulage Association has appointed its first female national chair and the first chair from Northern Ireland.
Smith has been general manager of Belfast-based Bondelivery for 17 years. The company is a general haulage operation specialising in storage and distribution throughout Ireland, and is owned by McBurney Transport.
Smith began her rise through RHA ranks when she was elected regional chair for Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2000. In her inaugural speech she flagged up concerns about the Working Time Directive and a lack of investment in training, 'The average age of HGV drivers is 52. There is a grave shortage of professional qualified drivers in some areas of the country' In her new role she wants to work more closely with the Irish Road Haulage Association: "There is so much in common between the UK and the Republic of Ireland," she says.
Smith takes over as RHA national chair from Ralletline boss Bob Russett.