Anne Shaw has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), having led the organisation over the past six months on an interim basis.
Ms Shaw steps into the new permanent role with significant experience working in the region’s transport sector and will oversee the delivery of a number of major infrastructure projects currently ongoing.
A further £1.3bn investment is expected over the next five years, as well.
Previously, Ms Shaw served for four years as Director of Network Resilience with TfWM, where she was tasked with overseeing continued service on the region’s transport network and was involved in setting up and opening the ground-breaking Regional Transport Co-ordination Centre (RTCC).
The RTCC now works round the clock, bringing together local authorities, emergency services and transport operators to plan for major events and deal better with transport disruption, ensuring the best travel information is available for residents and businesses.
Ms Shaw also oversaw the development of the new Commonwealth Games Transport Plan, which outlined how the region’s transport infrastructure will accommodate the expected one million or more visitors later this year.
Last year, alongside West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Chief Executive Laura Shoaf, Ms Shaw was also selected by the Government as a champion to lead on efforts to tackle violence against women and girls on public transport.
Prior to TfWM, Ms Shaw worked in the transport department of Birmingham City Council, working her way through the ranks from the shop floor as a junior technician up to Assistant Director.
Following her appointment, she said: “It is huge honour to be appointed to lead TfWM. We have a fantastic team and have built great working relationships with our partners across the transport sector. I am relishing the challenges ahead as we look to improve and expand our transport system.
“This is not just about rails and wheels – our investment connects communities and opens up opportunities for people giving them easier access to jobs, training and leisure opportunities. It will also play a massive part in meeting the climate change challenge and helping the region towards its net-zero carbon targets.”
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA Portfolio Holder for Transport and Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “We had every confidence in Anne when she was appointed to lead TfWM on an interim basis last year and she has more than proved up to the role.
“We therefore had no hesitation in making this this appointment permanent – the region is in good hands going forward as we look forward to the Commonwealth Games, the arrival of HS2 and the further growth of our rail, road, tram, bus and cycling networks.”
