08/12/2011
NEWS STORY
Professor Sid Watkins has announced his retirement from the FIA Institute Presidency at the Annual General Assembly of the Institute.
Following the announcement and with the unanimous support of the General Assembly, former Deputy President, Professor Gerard Saillant, was elected as the Institute's new President.
Executive Committee member Garry Connelly was elected as the new Deputy President. Nominated by the SMSA, the Singapore ASN, Colin Syn was elected to the Institute's Executive Committee.
Following the elections, Professor Watkins was unanimously elected as the first Honorary President of the FIA Institute and will continue to be an ambassador for its important programmes across the world. On the occasion of his retirement the Executive Committee and membership of the Institute presented Professor Watkins with a bronze statue as a tribute to all he has achieved in a remarkable 50-year career in motor sport.
"It has been an honour and a great pleasure to lead the Institute since its establishment," said Professor Watkins. "I am very proud of our achievements and our plans for the future, both in terms of motor sport safety and sustainability. I look forward to continue making a modest contribution to these in my new capacity as Honorary President."
"I have learnt a great deal from working with Professor Watkins," added Professor Gerard Saillant, "and I now look forward to progressing his work as the new President of the FIA Institute. We have made great strides in motor sport safety and sustainability but there is always more to do and I am as committed as ever to ensuring these important developments continue."
"It has been a great honour to have been involved with the Institute and I am delighted to be able to continue to do so as Deputy President," said Garry Connelly. "It has been a particular privilege to have worked with one of motor sports truly great personalities in Professor Watkins. The FIA Institute has progressed hugely under his charge and I will do all I can to ensure that this momentum carries on for the benefit of motor sport worldwide."
"Sid's influence in motor sport is legendary," added Richard Woods, FIA Institute Secretary General. "In everything he's done throughout his career, he has always been a leader in his field. He led the calls for improved safety throughout the 1980s and ever since has been the catalyst for its continuous development by the FIA and more recently by the Institute. Sid's legacy for the cause of safety in our sport is unique."