Transport for the North has appointed Merseytravel’s Chief Executive/Director General David Brown as its new Chief Executive.
This key appointment comes as Transport for the North (TfN) works towards the publication in March 2016 of its updated strategy for transforming the Northern economy through significantly enhanced connectivity between the city regions.
A report will also be published in the autumn highlighting progress to date. The process to appoint an independent Chair before the end of 2015 is underway, with plans in place to develop TfN into a statutory body by 2017.
Mr Brown, who will start his role within the next few weeks, is a highly experienced and high-profile individual in the public transport and infrastructure sectors across the North of England.
David Brown said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this new role within TfN at a really exciting time for transport across the region and beyond. TfN will be at the forefront of delivering an integrated and holistic approach to transport in the North and I relish the opportunity to help shape and drive that forward.”
Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive/Director General at Merseytravel, Mr Brown headed up South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. He also led on the successful establishment of Rail North, which, similarly to TfN, brings together the Northern authorities into a single organisation.
Sir Richard Leese, interim Chair of TfN, said: “We’re delighted to welcome David into the post of CEO. His experience to date speaks for itself and there’s no doubt that David will play a key role in bringing together authorities across the North of England to allow the North to speak with a single voice on the big decisions to benefit the region as a whole.
“We look forward to working with David to drive the way forward for TfN to play its part in delivering the vision for a Northern Powerhouse, by enabling the organisation and, as a result, the region to reach its full potential through strategic collaboration across national transport agencies and the city regions.”
As TfN Chief Executive Mr Brown will take a leading role in the development of the future blueprint for TfN as it builds towards statutory status from 2017 onwards.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “I am delighted to welcome David Brown as CEO of Transport for the North. Given David’s wealth of experience in the region’s transport sector, he is perfectly placed to bring momentum to this vital new organisation.
“We set up Transport for the North so the region can exercise real power and make its voice heard on how we can best invest in transport. That’s why we have given Transport for the North £30 million to take forward its work over the next three years. I look forward to working with David as together we transform northern transport and build the Northern Powerhouse.”
