The RAA board recently told its about 775,000 eligible voting members to ditch Small in a four-way tussle that had emerged for three vacant seats, despite his expertise in road safety issues.

However, in announcing the election results today RAA board chairman Peter Siebels announced Small had won his spot on the board back.

“Thanks to all RAA members who voted for their preferred candidates in this year’s board elections,” he said.

“These results will be officially declared at the upcoming RAA Future Expo and AGM on 28 November, which is when the successful candidates’ further term officially starts.

“Based on member votes, we are pleased to welcome Victoria Angove, David Osborn and Martin Small for a further three-year term on the RAA Board.’’

In election materials, the RAA asked members to vote the road transport and safety expert off its board, saying he lacked the necessary skills and experience for its “2022 endorsement criteria”.

Small, a former Registrar of Motor Vehicles and road safety consultant, was the only candidate not endorsed by the board.

“The board does not endorse Mr Small as he has not demonstrated that he satisfies the 2022 endorsement criteria as he does not hold sufficient skills or experience in any of the highly desired or desired skill categories,” the election materials sent to members said.

At the time, Small acknowledged that the organisation had diversified from its original Royal Automobile Association focus on motor vehicles to also covering areas like home insurance.

“I have had a few questions raised by people who are members,” he said.

“As a former registrar of Motor Vehicles with 25 years in transport leadership roles, I’m passionate about road safety, and want to see safety star ratings published for our regional highways.

“In the 1990s the RAA and other clubs began crash testing cars and publishing the results with safety ratings…. Applying this to roads would provide our members with more information about roads they travel.”

It was John Van Ruth, the chief executive officer at Lutheran Disability Services, a director at Hambs, Wyatt Trust and Eldercare, who missed out on a spot on the board.

Prior to voting he told members he is passionate about helping SA businesses through financial acuity, effective governance and innovation.

“I have a strong sense of social justice and giving back to the community,” he said.

RAA president and board chairman Peter Siebels said members voted at a meeting in March last year to introduce constitutional changes where board members are assessed for certain skills, knowledge and experience to fill identified skills gaps.

In the lead up to this board election, information technology, digital, consumer, legal and regulatory and cyber security were identified as critical skillsets in the endorsement criteria.

Siebels is a professional director and advisor. He is currently principal of 4D Advisory Pty Ltd, chairman of Fox Creek Wines, Robern Menz, Hood Sweeney and the Electricity Industry Superannuation Scheme, a director of RAA Insurance and ECH, plus a member of the University of Adelaide finance committee.

David Osborn said in his candidate statement that he would bring skills and experience in technology and digital marketing, as a business leader with Kimberly Clark and DelTech and “my views as a motorist and parent of younger drivers”.

“Technological change is a key component of our strategic growth agenda. With a multi-million-dollar technology investment committed over the next three years, the RAA should be well positioned to transform our member’s digital experience.”

Sitting board member Victoria Angove is joint managing director at Angove’s, a director at Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated and the Independent Winemakers Group with a strong sales and marketing background.

“As joint managing director of our family business, Angove Family Winemakers, I bring to the board my experience in running a large, successful, consumer-oriented business,” Angove said.

“This is a multigenerational business contributing to my understanding of decision making for the long-term wellbeing of all stakeholders.”

“As a current member of the RAA’s governance, nominations and remuneration committee and the investment Committee, I actively drive best practice governance practices and oversee important investments in innovation and technology. “

Voting ended on October 14.