Chris Boardman will continue to inspire the nation into getting
about on foot and by bike after being appointed as permanent
National Active Travel Commissioner alongside several other
senior officials, the Department for Transport announced
today.
Chris, who has served as Interim Commissioner since January 2022,
will head up the new executive agency alongside Chief Executive
Officer Danny Williams and Chief Operating Officer Louise
Wilkinson. Over the past decade, the Olympian has been one of the
country’s most prominent active travel advocates and has served
in Greater Manchester as Transport Commissioner and Walking and
Cycling Commissioner.
Danny Williams, who is expected to be confirmed as Active Travel
England’s CEO shortly, has spent over 25 years leading media
businesses, including setting-up a start-up and developing large
and high performing teams within global corporations. In his
spare time, Danny has been advocating for change in how villages,
towns and cities approach walking and cycling. He was a member of
the Mayor of London's Roads Task Force.
Louise Wilkinson has a long career in strategic finance and
accounting within the civil service and local government. Most
recently she has worked for the Cabinet Office as a Deputy
Director of Finance.
Active Travel England also today announced Graham Grant as its
Director of Planning and Development. Grant, currently Assistant
Director of Transport at Newcastle City Council, is expected to
take up his post in the Autumn. He joins Brian Deegan, who was
announced as Director of Inspections in May 2022.
Confirming the appointments, Cycling Minister said:
“Today’s appointments are another great step for Active Travel
England as it continues to make sure getting around our towns and
cities on foot or by bike is an easy and attractive option.
"Chris, Danny, Louise and the rest of the incoming team are
hugely respected experts in their field and are dedicated to
making people-friendly streets a reality. I wish them every
success and will do all I can to support them.”
Chris Boardman said:
“I am thrilled to be announced as permanent National Active
Travel Commissioner and to be given this incredible opportunity.
To help change the travel culture of a nation is by far the most
important thing I have ever, or will ever, be involved in. For
cycling and walking to become the natural choice for shorter
journeys, people must feel safe and the options must be easy.
Active Travel England aims to help local authorities across the
country deliver that environment, so that people can get to
schools, shops and workplaces under their own steam. That’s the
kind of place people want to live and the freedoms they want for
their children.”
Danny Williams added:
“If you were to put down on paper my dream job, this is it. I’m
passionate about building successful teams from the ground up and
I have been an active travel advocate for the past 20 years. It’s
a huge privilege to be able to combine those interests as CEO of
Active Travel England. I want to support councils to be bold and
create an environment that is going to change people’s everyday
lives for the better. It doesn’t get more exciting than
that.”
Louise Wilkinson added:
“I can’t wait to take on the role of COO at Active Travel England
and be part of this exciting journey. This is something I really
believe in and I am proud to be part of a team that will help
transform active travel and deliver real change. I will be
focusing on putting in place all the things we need to succeed
and to ensure that councils and other delivery partners are
supported every step of the way.”
Last month the Department for Transport announced that millions of
people across the country will benefit from cleaner air and
cheaper ways to travel and keep active thanks to £200 million
of government funding for 134 new active travel schemes. Active
Travel England will oversee delivery as part of its ambition to
drive up the standards of infrastructure across the country and
make walking, wheeling and cycling the easiest choice for local
journeys.
Chris Boardman has been appointed with immediate effect. Danny
Williams and Louise Wilkinson are expected to take up their posts
in August.
