Highways England announces new chair

Former board member of the Crown Estate and Thames Water, Dipesh J Shah OBE, will be the new chair of Highways England.

He is due to take up the role on 1 September 2020 and will oversee the delivery of the £27bn RIS 2.

Mr Shah takes over from Colin Matthews who led the organisation for six years and was briefly chair of the Highways Agency just before it became Highways England.

Mr Shah OBE said: 'I am honoured to be invited to chair Highways England, which plays a pivotal role in connecting communities across England. I look forward to working with colleagues to deliver the very significant programme of improvement and expansion of the road network in support of the government’s levelling-up agenda.'

Roads minister Baroness Vere said: 'This government is determined to build our way out of COVID-19, providing the infrastructure, jobs and skills needed to support our economy.

'I am delighted that Dipesh Shah will be leading the Highways England team at this crucial time, delivering major projects that will really make a difference to communities across the country.

'I’d also like to thank Colin Matthews for seeing Highways England through its first phase as a new company, including the successful delivery of the first road investment strategy.'

Mr Shah brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors. He has served boards in the infrastructure, financial services and energy sectors and was formerly the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, having earlier held several senior positions at BP.