New Highways England chief executive announced
Jim O’Sullivan to take over from Graham Dalton who leaves after seven years as head of Highways Agency
JIM O’Sullivan has been appointed as the new chief executive of Highways England and will lead the government-owned company which is responsible for delivering £11 billion of improvements to England’s motorways and major A roads by 2020.
Mr O’Sullivan is an experienced engineer who will bring significant leadership experience to this key role, having previously worked on safety critical transport projects, in the utilities industries, and for world renowned businesses including British Airways and Heathrow Airport Holdings.
He will take over the chief executive post from Graham Dalton who announced his departure in January after seven years leading Highways England predecessor the Highways Agency.
Highways England chairman Colin Matthews said: ‘I am delighted to announce Jim’s appointment to lead Highways England in a new, challenging era. The Government has committed to the biggest investment in roads in a generation: there are more than 100 roads schemes in its Road Investment Strategy, which Highways England will be responsible for delivering to provide safer, more reliable and much-improved journeys on our busiest roads.
‘I would like to thank Graham Dalton for his leadership over the past seven years. He has been responsible for significant improvement schemes, as well as meeting the needs of the nation during severe weather and events of international interest such as the 2012 Olympics, all culminating in the successful transition from the Highways Agency to Highways England.’
Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, said: ‘Jim’s experience of leading world-class infrastructure companies means I can be confident he will ensure that the benefits of the record investment this government is making in our roads delivers for drivers and businesses across the whole of the UK, on time and on budget.’
Mr O’Sullivan will join Highways England on Monday 22 June 2015, before formally taking over from Graham Dalton on 1 July 2015.
