Work on the programme to sustain and develop UK motorsport has moved up a gear with the appointment of a contracts manager in the Government Motorsport Unit.

Howard Partridge will play a key role in co-ordinating improvement activities, working from the GMU's office in Northampton.

He joins the Unit from the East of England Development Agency where he was a business support advisor for the aerospace industry.

Ironically, his first task will be to manage the delivery of a project aimed at developing links between the motorsport and aerospace industries, which forms part of a business development plan to promote cross-sector technology transfer, innovation, international trade and inward investment.

Other plans directed by the Motorsport Development Board aim to improve skills development and co-ordinate learning provision, support a "Learning Grid" of educational activities, widen participation in the sport, recruit and develop more volunteer officials and promote energy efficient motorsport.

Howard said, "Motorsport is a great example of the UK's leadership in engineering, innovation and competition. I'm excited to be part of the team driving this forward ".