Former Transport Secretary and Derbyshire MP, Lord McLoughlin has been appointed Chair of the region’s sub-national transport body, Transport for the North (TfN).
Lord McLoughlin commenced in his new role as Chair of the Transport for the North Partnership Board and Board from 26th January 2022, with his first Board meeting scheduled for 23rd February. Previously, he served as Transport Secretary under David Cameron’s Premiership from 2012-16 when TfN was first established and served the Derbyshire Dales constituency as MP for over 30 years from 1986-2019.
He joins TfN as the organisation moves to a co-sponsor role on Northern Powerhouse Rail while seeking to secure continued investment in the region’s transport infrastructure.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Interim Chair of Transport for the North, said:
“I’m pleased to be able to welcome Lord McLoughlin to Transport for the North as our new Chair. He has a wealth of experience in transport and the public sector, which I know will put him in good stead for this challenging and important role.
“Having served as Interim Chair since summer 2021, I can say that Lord McLoughlin is joining an organisation that has dedicated people at its core who care about the people in the North and use that passion to work hard in delivering a transport system that the region needs and deserves.
“I wish Lord McLoughlin every success and look forward to working with him on the TfN Board.”
Lord McLoughlin, said of the appointment:
“I feel very proud to have been selected as the Chair of Transport for the North. I believe firmly in the potential of the North of England and know from my personal experience and professional career just how vital reliable, cost-effective and sustainable transport is to people and business.
“I have followed the work of TfN since the start – I was Transport Secretary when it was set up – and so I am delighted to be the new Chair of this passionate, dedicated and visionary organisation. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead as part of Team TfN.
“A key focus for the TfN Board remains the need to press the case as to why its preferred approach to Northern Powerhouse Rail remains fundamental to securing the long-term economic future of the North. The government’s Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) goes against the best interest of people in the North and fails to deliver the step-change in rail services that is the only sustainable, long-term solution.”