A MAJOR senior management shake-up has taken place at the RAC with the aim of more closely focusing on customer and vehicle requirements.

Former general secretary Neil Johnson has become chief executive officer of the RAC and he has appointed 10 managing directors or directors who are responsible for each of the motoring organisation's core functions.

Among the appointments is Barrie Thrussel, who has moved from Jaguar to become managing director of rescue services; Martin Connor, who becomes new business director, and Jan Smith, as group strategic director with Jim Macdonald, corporate sales and marketing director, reporting into her. An RAC spokesman described the new structure as 'much flatter' than the previous structure which was in place.

Much of that was put in place by Frank Richardson, who was managing director of the RAC's motor division. As a result of the shake-up Richardson, who spent eight years at the organisation during which membership doubled, has left.