The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has appointed Bell Pottinger Public Affairs (BPPA) as its retained public affairs agency to promote the interests of motor sport in the UK.

BPPA will provide government relations support to the MSA, positioning the sport and associated industry as an important part of British culture and the wider economy. BPPA will also be highlighting the industry’s contribution to innovation and skills with key stakeholders.

The account will be led by Associate Director Joe Phelan, supported by Account Director Matthew Lister and Consultant, David Petrie. The team reports to MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton.

“Motor sport is one of the UK’s great success stories, but we have struggled for many years to achieve a good understanding of this within the corridors of power,” said Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive. “Bell Pottinger demonstrated an excellent grasp of our key issues and we are confident that they will ensure a better representation for motor sport within Westminster.”

Peter Bingle, Chairman of BPPA, commented: “This is a very exciting client for us. The MSA’s passion and expertise, complemented with our experience, gives added hope to the continued development of UK motor sport and the consolidation of the UK’s position as the global leader of race winning engineering.”

UK motor sport contributes over £6 billion per annum to UK PLC, 50 per cent of which is accounted for by exports. The industry also supports around 50,000 jobs, including 25,000 skilled engineers.

The MSA is responsible for the governance, administration, promotion and development of all four-wheel motor sport in the UK, including setting the technical and sporting rules across all disciplines of motor sport. The MSA represents 34,000 competition licence holders, 15,000 registered officials and around 750 affiliated motor clubs with a combined membership of some 200,000. The MSA issues permits for nearly 5,000 events every year.

The MSA is the motor sport governing body for the UK as appointed by the world governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

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For more information, please contact Joe Phelan at BPPA on 020 7861 2493 or by emailing jphelan@bell-pottinger.co.uk