New Chief Executive for regional transport body

Regional transport body, Transport for the North (TfN) has announced the appointment of Martin Tugwell as its new Chief Executive.

TfN’s board approved the appointment during a virtual meeting on 16th April. Martin Tugwell will act as a voice for the North’s civic and business leaders on transport investment, succeeding outgoing Chief Executive Barry White, who will step down later this month. Martin will assume his role this summer, with Tim Wood serving as Interim Chief Executive until then.

Martin joins TfN from its counterpart organisation, England’s Economic Heartland, whose remit spans the corridor from Oxfordshire to Cambridgeshire in Central and South-East England. He also serves as the current President of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and has over 20 years experience in transport and investment senior leadership roles.

John Cridland, Chairman of Transport for the North, said:

This is a crucial leadership role for the North of England and Martin fits the bill.

“His extensive professional experience coupled with his drive to make tomorrow better than today means he’s perfectly placed to lead TfN. He’ll work with our Board to take on the immediate challenges and opportunities facing the North and continue the great work TfN has consistently delivered since it was established.

“I’d also like to once again put on public record my sincere thanks to Barry White. Barry has played a pivotal role in TfN’s success. He secured adoption of our 30-year Strategic Transport Plan for the North and led TfN through the challenges of responding to the May 2018 timetable crisis. We thank him for his dedication and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Martin Tugwell said:

It’s an honour to take up leadership of Transport for the North at this critical moment for the levelling-up agenda. I’ve always been a passionate advocate for the ability of better transport connections to change lives and create more opportunities. That belief is the central mission of Transport for the North, one that’s more important today than ever.

“I can’t wait to work with the North’s ambitious leaders to drive real change in the region, making transport more accessible, inclusive and sustainable for future generations.”