Ben Cussons

As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution

- Robert Coucher

THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB of Great Britain was formed in 1897 as a private social club. The Prince of Wales at the time was a petrolhead and, shortly after, decreed that it should become the 'Royal Automobile Club. The organisation grew rapidly and moved to its grand location at 89 Pall Mall in 1911, which was followed by the purchase of Woodcote Park in Epsom in 1913, a palatial estate that boasted 350 acres and two 18hole golf courses. The idea was to encourage motorists to drive to the country club and enjoy some light recreation.

In 1999, the decision of the members of the Royal Automobile Club to sell the roadside assistance arm could have sent it spiralling into 'golf club' oblivion. Fortunately, a stalwart team led by Ray Wiltshire created a motoring committee to put the automobile back at its epicentre. Ben Cussons was a member and became head of the motoring committee in 2008, then chairman of the club six years ago. Now, exactly 25 years since Ray Wiltshire's historic move, is a good time to reflect on the journey the club has taken, as chairman Cussons hands over the reins to Ray's son, Duncan Wiltshire.

HRH Prince Michael of Kent has been the President of the Royal Automobile Club since 1979, so the 'Royal' connection is very much alive and well and the role of chairman is a serious appointment. Not that Cussons appears to take himself too seriously. Bright, fit and usually smiling, he has the appearance of a man of action, being a keen racing driver, shot, skier, fisherman, marathon runner and... a bad golfer. He communicates in quick, clipped barks and moves along swiftly, so you need to keep up as he bustles about his mews garage or zooms around the halls of the impressive St James club, stopping to talk with staff all the way. You'd think he's ex-Army whereas he's actually a former yachtsman.