Transport for the North announces new Strategy and Programme Director

Jeremy Bloom, Strategy and Programme Director, Transport for the North

Transport for the North has announced Jeremy Bloom, a senior industry leader with 28 years of experience, as Strategy and Programme Director.

Jeremy is set to join the statutory body from Highways England, where for the last 13 years he’s led network strategies, programme delivery and investment planning, most recently as Network Planning Director. He also brings expertise from time with consultancies AECOM and Parsons Brinckerhoff, as well as Network Rail and London Underground.

The Director position is a pivotal new role within Transport for the North, with oversight of some of the North’s most significant and high-profile infrastructure projects. Jeremy will lead on the delivery of the Strategic Transport Plan, set to be submitted this Spring, and will take up his post in April.

Barry White, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said: “This role is symbolic of where we are 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.

“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.”

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield, Jeremy went on to deliver major studies and business cases for road investment projects, as well as establishing and leading Highways England’s £9 billion Regional Investment Programme.  During his time at Network Rail he was Route Strategy Manager for the £2 billion East Coast Main Line upgrade.

Jeremy Bloom 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.”