Nick Harris has been confirmed as the new Chief
Executive of the Government company which builds and operates the
country’s motorways and major A-roads, Chair Dipesh Shah OBE
announced today, Thursday 19 August.
This comes as Highways England and the Department for Transport
announced that Highways England will change its name to ‘National
Highways’, heralding a new era for strategic roads. This reflects
the new focus the company has on delivering the government’s
£27bn strategic roads investment programme, while also continuing
to set highways standards for the whole UK.
The strategic road network plays a key role in levelling up by
connecting England’s regions, ports and international trade
corridors.
Nick will lead the organisation as it delivers this significant
investment, and looks towards the future opportunities offered by
automation and digitisation as well as delivering the
government’s net zero target.
Highways England Chair, Dipesh J Shah OBE said:
I am delighted to appoint Nick as our CEO. Now, more than ever,
our infrastructure schemes have an important and perhaps unique
role to play in helping our economy to recover.
Nick’s steady hand throughout the last few months has
established a solid foundation to help us on our journey to
transform how we work with our supply chain, how we deliver our
net zero carbon and how we realise our digitalisation
ambitions.
Nick joined Highways England in 2016 and has been Acting Chief
Executive since February 2021. He has the proven track record
needed to lead and transform a large and complex organisation.
His experience in deploying large scale contracting and supply
chain management coupled with extensive operational delivery
expertise will take the company forward as it delivers on the
£27bn investment into the strategic road network.
He will have a particular focus on continued road safety
improvements and the transformation of National Highways as a
global leader in road building and maintenance, as well as
delivering world class health and safety. His permanent
appointment is the conclusion of a broad and rigorous recruitment
process.
Nick Harris said:
I am pleased to be taking up the reins at such an exciting
time. We have achieved a great deal and there is still more to
be done.
As we deliver the second roads investment strategy ensuring the
safety of all road users, the delivery of our work and the
benefits to our customers remains at the centre of our
organisation.
Transport Secretary said:
Nick will be an excellent CEO and I’m looking forward to
continuing to work closely with him as we build back better
across the country.
Nick will steer Highways England into an exciting new chapter,
as it evolves into National Highways and delivers on our £27bn
plan to improve our roads and make journeys safer, smoother and
greener.
