Ian Pruce, Membership Secretary & RoSPA Advanced Tutor
As well as a top graded driver, Ian is also a keen motorcyclist and has been involved with helping people improve their safety on the road for over 20 years. He is a RoSPA gold award holder for both driving and motorcycling and an Advanced Tutor in both disciplines and Diploma holder respectively. He also holds qualifications with IAM RoadSmart as a National Observer and Masters holder. Ian has now taken and passed his Level 3 in Advanced Driver Coaching.
He says,
“One of the biggest thrills comes from helping someone else realize an improvement in their driving. That may be improved self confidence, achieving a RoSPA qualification, or just sharpening their skills.”
Rob Harvie-Clarke, RoSPA Advanced Tutor
Rob Harvie Clark has been a keen driver all his life. As well as a huge business mileage, he has driven many racing miles on UK and European tracks and competed in classic rallies across Europe, both as driver and navigator.
He worked as a chartered mechanical engineer in the diesel engine industry for international companies for many years and then set up his own thatching business which prospered for 15 years until retirement.
He is a keen classic car driver, who until recently used to own a Austin Healey which he had owned for 46 years. Rob also maintains his “modern” himself.
He loves being the co-driver, tutoring drivers at all levels to reach their full potential. Rob has been awarded RoSPA Advanced Tutor grading.
Nick Borst-Smith, RoSPA Advanced Tutor
He has always had close relationship with most branches of motorsport and cars of all abilities and currently owns a 1933 Austin Seven Special and an Audi RS3. Nick is an Advanced Tutor and holds a Gold membership of RoSPA and holds the IAMRoadsmart Masters Distinction award.
Keen to promote safe driving as a pleasurable experience, through knowledge, understanding and ability.
Joanne Gifford, Committee Member
Jo has been driving for twenty years and at first enjoyed the freedom of driving anywhere and everywhere but then lost her confidence after having children. Following being made aware of various advanced driving groups Jo finally plucked up the courage and decided to give it a go.
“It was the best thing I did as not only did it help me gain my confidence but also gave me my love of driving back.”
Dave Penny, Committee Member and RoSPA Diploma Holder
I’ve been a member of RoSPA since 1997, taking my first test and passing with a Gold in 1998, after which I started teaching for my group in Taunton. I took my Diploma in 2006. In 2023 I embarked on a new course and successfully achieved the Level 3 Award in Advanced Driver Coaching. I’m a firm believer in further training for drivers after they’ve passed their test, although this is very much a minority view.
I am currently the lead tutor with the group.
Jeremy Flynn RoSPA Approved Tutor
I was taught to drive at 17 by an ex-Police driving instructor and have enjoyed driving ever since.
I passed my first RoSPA test in 1994 while working in the London Ambulance Service where I was also a driver assessor for new recruits.
I joined Hertfordshire Police in 1996 transferring to the Roads Policing Unit in 2005 on my 40th Birthday! I passed my Police advanced course in 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed patrolling the roads and motorways of Hertfordshire at speeds between 55 and 155 MPH!
I can confirm that the vast majority of collisions (they are not called accidents anymore) are caused by human error! I became a Pursuit Management Instructor and Tactical Advisor and retired in 2020.
I joined Exeter & East Devon Advanced Drivers, passed my test again in 2021 and became a tutor because I wanted to share my love of driving and hopefully encourage people to see driving as something to engage fully with and enjoy at the same time. I do have a Motorcycle license, but much prefer four wheels!
Donna Grimshaw. Committee Member
I have been driving motor cars for 26 years. I have always enjoyed driving but even more so when we relocated from London to Devon.
I was introduced to the Exeter and East Devon Advanced driving club by Rob Harvie Clark. I met Rob at a classic car show in Sidmouth where he showed me around his Austin Healey. I have IMI qualifications in car maintenance and along with my mum I enjoy servicing and repairing our three cars here, which include an Alfa Brera, a Vauxhall Corsa B and a Ford B-Max.
I have done everything including extensive repairs including extensive engine repairs and clutches.
More recently I passed the ROSPA Advanced Driving Test and achieved a silver pass. Around the same time I passed the Class C&E driving test, which has enabled me to drive articulated heavy goods vehicles around the South of England and up to the Midlands for various transport companies.
I have also got music qualifications up to degree level and I enjoy singing as well as playing drums and guitar.