As a four-way tussle emerges for three vacant seats on the state’s leading road advocacy and insurance board, former Registrar of Motor Vehicles and road safety consultant Martin Small is the only candidate not endorsed by the board.

“The board does not endorse Mr Small as he has not demonstrated that he satisfies the 2022 endorsement criteria as he does not hold sufficient skills or experience in any of the highly desired or desired skill categories,” the election materials sent to members said.

RAA president and board chairman Peter Siebels said members voted at a meeting in March last year to introduce constitutional changes where board members are assessed for certain skills, knowledge and experience to fill identified skills gaps.

In the lead up to this board election, information technology, digital, consumer, legal and regulatory and cyber security were identified as critical skillsets in the endorsement criteria.

“All candidates standing for election, or re-election, this year were required to be assessed against these skills,” Siebels said.

“We acknowledge the valuable contribution that Mr Small has made during his three-year tenure on the board, however, as Mr Small could not demonstrate sufficient skills or experience in any of the highly desired and desired sets of skills he was not endorsed.”

Siebels is a professional director and advisor. He is currently principal of 4D Advisory Pty Ltd, chairman of Fox Creek Wines, Robern Menz, Hood Sweeney and the Electricity Industry Superannuation Scheme, a director of RAA Insurance and ECH, plus a member of the University of Adelaide finance committee.

Small, who is currently travelling in Thailand and India advising on road projects, was circumspect about the lack of RAA endorsement, saying the organisation had diversified from its original Royal Automobile Association focus on motor vehicles to also covering areas like home insurance.

“I have had a few questions raised by people who are members,” he said, adding that while he accepted the process he still hoped to be voted back onto the board.

“As a former registrar of Motor Vehicles with 25 years in transport leadership roles, I’m passionate about road safety, and want to see safety star ratings published for our regional highways,” Small said.

“In the 1990s the RAA and other clubs began crash testing cars and publishing the results with safety ratings…. Applying this to roads would provide our members with more information about roads they travel.”

The three candidates endorsed for the board spots include current board member David Osborn.

His candidate statement said he brings skills and experience in technology and digital marketing, perspective as a business leader with Kimberly Clark and DelTech and “my views as a motorist and parent of younger drivers”.

“Technological change is a key component of our strategic growth agenda. With a multi-million-dollar technology investment committed over the next three years, the RAA should be well positioned to transform our member’s digital experience.”

Sitting board member Victoria Angove is joint managing director at Angove’s, a director at Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated and the Independent Winemakers Group with a strong sales and marketing background.

“As joint managing director of our family business, Angove Family Winemakers, I bring to the board my experience in running a large, successful, consumer-oriented business,” Angove said.

“This is a multigenerational business contributing to my understanding of decision making for the long-term wellbeing of all stakeholders.”

“As a current member of the RAA’s governance, nominations and remuneration committee and the investment Committee, I actively drive best practice governance practices and oversee important investments in innovation and technology. “

John Van Ruth is chief executive officer at Lutheran Disability Services, a director at Hambs, Wyatt Trust and Eldercare.

“I am passionate about helping SA businesses through financial acuity, effective governance and innovation. I have a strong sense of social justice and giving back to the community,” he said.

“My early career roles as partner in charge of the ecommerce practice for Arthur Andersen Canada and chief information officer roles at Faulding and Adelaide Bank will help me bring strategic information security and technology experience to RAA.”

He previously worked for RAA as general manager information technology and is a car enthusiast and member of an historic car club.

There are about 775,000 eligible RAA voting members – each holding a RAA qualifying product like road service or an insurance. Voting is open now and ends October 14 before the annual general meeting.