Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) has appointed Ben Plowden as its next chief executive officer, taking over from Paul Tuohy, who is stepping down in the spring.
Mr Plowden (pictured) is currently with PA Consulting and is chair of the Transport Planning Society (TPS), a visiting professor at University College London and a senior associate at the London School of Economics.
He is a member of the Department for Transport’s Capital Review Panel and was criticised in the right-wing media recently for having ‘organised a [TPS} conference in November with the theme “reducing car use in the UK”’.
He was also the first director of active travel charity Living Streets and worked at a senior level at Transport for London for almost 20 years.
Shamit Gaiger, chair of Trustees of CfBT, said: ‘I am thrilled to welcome Ben as the new CEO. His proven leadership in transport, strategic vision, and commitment to effect a change to better our society make Ben the ideal person to lead our organisation into its next chapter.
‘On behalf of the board, I want to express our confidence in Ben and excitement for the journey ahead.’
Mr Plowden said: ‘Better transport – transport that is safe, accessible, integrated and affordable – is essential to improving people’s quality of life and meeting the key challenges we face, including tackling social exclusion, improving productivity and decarbonising the economy.
‘Campaign for Better Transport plays a critical role in improving transport for everyone and I’m delighted to be taking up the role of its chief executive.’