National Highways chief executive Nick Harris to step down after five years in role

Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, has announced he will step down from his role after five years leading the government-owned company responsible for England’s strategic road network.

image: National HIghways

Harris will remain in post during a short transition period while the board determines interim leadership arrangements, with recruitment for a permanent successor expected to start in the spring.

In a statement Harris reflected on his tenure and the timing of his departure. “Serving as Chief Executive of National Highways has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. As we approach the start of the next five-year Road Investment Strategy, this is the right moment for me to hand over to new leadership who will guide the organisation into its next chapter,” he said. “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together over the last five years – delivering safer, greener, more reliable roads; strengthening our relationships with partners; and modernising the organisation for the future. National Highways is in great shape, with exceptional people and a clear vision for what comes next.”

National Highways highlighted several achievements during Harris’s leadership. The organisation has advanced its purpose of “connecting the country” while transforming operations, improving road safety and performance, investing in digital capabilities and helping to secure approval for major infrastructure schemes such as the Lower Thames Crossing.

Gareth Rhys Williams, Chair of National Highways, said “Nick has led the organisation through an important period of change and achievement, through the pandemic amongst other challenges. We thank him for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to building an organisation well set to rise to an ambitious and stretching set of new targets and outcomes embedded in RIS3 and the recently announced Safety Strategy.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also commented, “I want to recognise Nick Harris’s contribution to National Highways over the past five years. My Department will work with the Board to ensure a smooth transition to new executive leadership, as we continue our joint work to improve and maintain our major road network.”

The transition comes as National Highways prepares for the next phase of its Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), which sets out government-backed priorities and funding for the network over the coming five years.