Clift set to succeed Ross as CEO of Ben
14 October 2024 
Rachel Clift is to take over as the new CEO of automotive industry charity Ben next month.
Clift (left), currently Ben’s health and wellbeing director, starts her new role on November 1. She will succeed Zara Ross, who has held the post since July 2016 and is to retire.
However, Ben said Ross will continue to work with the organisation as transfer programme director to support the transfer of care and village services to new operators, until that is finalised.
The appointment of Clift followed a rigorous recruitment process including external applicants. Ben said she had almost tripled the charity’s reach and impact and demonstrated proven leadership and dedication, since joining in September 2018.
Steve Nash, CEO of The Institute of the Motor Industry and chair of Ben’s trustee board, said: “We are confident that Rachel will bring the expertise, inspiration, drive, and leadership needed to steward Ben through its next strategic phase.
“I would also like to say a heartfelt and personal thank you to Zara for her unwavering commitment to Ben over the past eight years.”
Ross steered the organisation through some major challenges during her tenure, including the pandemic. She also oversaw a major refit at Ben’s Town Thorns Care Centre.
Meanwhile, Ben said its board of trustees has ambitious plans to further treble the charity’s impact by 2030, focusing on the growing health and wellbeing needs of those who work in the automotive industry.