Our governance

The Chief Executive leads the agency with the support of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) directing board, committees and groups.


Working with the Department for Transport

The DVSA framework agreement sets out how DVSA works with the Department for Transport, as its sponsoring department.

DVSA directing board

The directing board sets our strategic direction. Every month, the board meets to discuss the most important issues for the agency.

The board is made up of:

  • Nick Bitel, Non-Executive Chair
  • Loveday Ryder, Chief Executive
  • Peter Hearn, Director of Operations (North)
  • Richard Hennessy, Director of Operations (South)
  • Adrian Long, Director of Corporate Affairs
  • Clare Nichols, Chief Financial Officer
  • Jacob Abboud, Non-Executive Director
  • Helen Aston, Non-Executive Director
  • Matthew Campbell-Hill, Non-Executive Director

Executive committee

The executive committee works closely with the DVSA directing board. The committee:

  • influences how we take forward our work
  • makes policy decisions
  • asks other committees and groups to consider how things can be done

The committee is made up of:

  • Loveday Ryder, Chief Executive
  • Carrie Dolan, Director of Corporate Services
  • Peter Hearn, Director of Operations (North)
  • Richard Hennessy, Director of Operations (South)
  • Marian Kitson, Director of Enforcement
  • Adrian Long, Director of Corporate Affairs
  • Clare Nichols, Chief Financial Officer
  • Paula Pitcher, Director of People
  • Becky Thomas, Director of Strategy, Policy, Digital and Technology
  • Alex Fiddes, Programme Delivery Executive

Investment and change committee

The investment and change committee:

  • governs the development of changes
  • approves all investment approvals and contracts over £500,000
  • examines how we run projects and programmes
  • tracks how and when the benefits of our projects happen

Procurement assurance is part of the agenda when the committee meets, so all contract awards are examined.

Service management groups

We have service management groups for our main services, like driving tests, enforcement and MOT. They look at whether we need to change the way we do things to provide those services.

The groups are chaired by service managers and include service experts who help to make decisions.