18.01.19
Former Highways England manager to join Transport for the North in new director role
A former Highways England manager is set to join Transport for the North (TfN) to operate as the body’s new strategy and programme director, it was announced this week.
Jeremy Bloom, who has 28 years of experience, is set to join the statutory body from Highways England, where for the last 13 years he has led network strategies, programme delivery and investment planning, most recently as a network planning director.
Bloom brings a wealth of experience and expertise from his time with consultancies at AECOM and Parsons Brinckerhoff, as well as Network Rail and London Underground.
Bloom’s position is a pivotal new role within TfN, with oversight of some of the north’s most significant and high-profile infrastructure projects — including taking the lead on the deliver of the Strategic Transport Plan, set to be submitted this spring.
Chief executive of TfN Barry White said the role is “symbolic” of where TfN is as an organisation.
“We’re on the cusp of having an agreed Strategic Transport Plan to increase connectivity across the whole of the north. A true first,” White said.
“In Jeremy, we’ve found a senior leader who will marry an encyclopaedic knowledge of the transport landscape with the command to spearhead major investment opportunities. He brings a wealth of experience of making credible cases for investment, something that will be essential in delivering on the priorities the north has identified together.”
Following his graduation from the University of Sheffield, Bloom went on to deliver major studies and business cases for road investment projects, as well as establishing and leading Highways England’s £9bn Regional Investment Programme.
Bloom himself said: “This is a career-defining opportunity to help shape the fabric of the north for decades to come. These are exciting times.
“With the Strategic Transport Plan in place, we’ll have an unprecedented platform to make well-researched and strong cases for investment across the north. It’s rare that you get an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the economy – and in turn the lives of millions. I can’t wait to get started.”
Bloom will take up his post in April.
The future of rail in the north will be a hot topic of discussion at EvoNorth on 27-28 February, and TransCityRail North on 3 October 2019.