Transport for the North appoints Katie Day as Interim Chief Executive

Transport for the North (TfN) has appointed Katie Day as its interim chief executive following the announcement that current CEO Martin Tugwell will take a career break after nearly five years in the role.

image: TfN

Day, who currently serves as TfN’s strategy, analysis and communications director, will take over leadership of the statutory transport body responsible for coordinating strategic transport planning and investment across the North of England.

TfN said the transition comes as the organisation continues to review its role and priorities amid changes in the transport and economic landscape across the region. The body represents local authorities and business leaders in making the case for transport investment in the North.

Transport for the North became England’s first statutory sub-national transport body in 2018 and works with local authorities, Network Rail and National Highways on long-term transport strategy.

Tugwell was appointed chief executive in 2021, having previously led England’s Economic Heartland, another regional transport body. During his tenure, TfN has worked on projects including Northern Powerhouse Rail, freight and logistics strategies, and regional decarbonisation plans.

Tugwell said, “I believe now is the right time for me to step away as CEO of Transport for the North. It’s been a privilege to serve the North, its political leaders and to work with some of the most skilled and talented professionals involved in strategic transport planning.

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. TfN has a reputation for technical leadership and excellence that is richly deserved. It plays a vital role in supporting its constituent authorities and national government to make the case for investment in the North’s transport system.

“As TfN looks to the future, its role must continue to evolve in response to the devolution agenda. Now is the right time for me to step back and enable a new leadership to work with our constituent authorities to shape a new TfN. I would like to thank the TfN Board for their support over the past five years – their collective leadership on behalf of the North remains just as important now as when I joined.”

Katie Day added, “As the region evolves, so too must the organisations that serve it. TfN is focused on serving our members and delivering the data, insight and technical capability needed to develop stronger investment cases and help deliver on their ambitions.

“Collaboration is central to TfN’s future and I’m committed to strengthening the partnerships that sit at the heart of our work. I’m working closely with our Board, the North’s 11 combined authorities and the Department for Transport to shape the future of TfN and ensure we are aligned on delivering the shared transport ambitions for the North which will unlock economic growth.”