Wallis to head up TRL

Rob Wallis has been named as the new chief executive officer of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

He is replacing Dr Sue Sharland who is stepping down after 12 years in the role. She will leave the company in the autumn to pursue a variety of roles, including joining the presidential team at the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and a number of non-executive directorships.

Wallis (pictured) has 30 years experience working across private, public and non-profit sectors in the UK and internationally. A major focus has been delivering solutions into the transport, logistics, supply chain and automotive sectors.

He joins from BSI, where he was managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Prior to BSI he held managing director and senior director roles at leading transport-focused businesses including Hedra, EDS and LogicaCMG.

Dr Sharland said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead TRL over the past 12 years and to develop further our position as an independent provider of world-class transport research, consultancy and technical services.

Wallis added: “Innovative transport solutions are increasingly crucial to governments, economies and businesses around the world, driven by safety, reliability, efficiency, accessibility and environmental pressures. I am delighted to be joining a team that has an 80-year heritage and reputation in researching, developing and implementing innovative transport solutions with clients internationally.” He will start his role on 15 July.