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The RHA has announced that Geoff Dunning will be the association's new chief executive when the incumbent Roger King steps down next year. Dunning has headed the RHA's northern region for the past 14 years, but admits he is very much a surprise appointment to the association's top job. However, Dunning adds: "Both Richard Turner and David Green, the previous two chief executives at the FTA, were both home grown, so in trade association terms [an appointment like this] is not unusual."

He  says that the RHA has three distinct functions: political lobbying, member services and revenue generation and it is crucial to "get the right balance". While acknowledging that there will be some within the RHA who are underwhelmed with his appointment, he adds: "That goes with the territory. I have been with the RHA for 20 years and people tell me I've done a bloody good job in the North of England and I want to do a similar job for the whole of the country."

Dunning also defends the fact that he does not have a background in the transport industry: "I've not been appointed to run a haulage business, I've been appointed to run the RHA. eople lose sight of the fact that there's a very big difference between the two."

Andy Boyle, RHA chairman and part of the panel which appointed Dunning, adds: "In these difficult times, Geoff will be a steady hand on the tiller. "He's fired up for the job and full of enthusiasm and will have the full support of RHA staff."