Martin Tugwell, current president of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, is in line to become the new chief executive of Transport for the North (TfN).

The decision is expected to be rubber stamped this Friday by the TfN board, with Mr Tugwell already selected from a shortlist of six candidates as the preferred choice.

Mr Tugwell (pictured) is well-suited to take over the running of the nation's only statutory sub-national transport body as his current day job is programme director at England's Economic Heartland, the sub-national transport body for the region including the Oxford – Milton Keynes – Cambridge Arc.

Popular and well-respected, Mr Tugwell has already enjoyed a long career in transport planning in the public sector and has an enthusiasm for collaborative, holistic solutions.

Current chief executive Barry White steps down on 21 April and, as Mr Tugwell has a three month notice period, the appointment panel recommended an interim appointment.

TfN's Northern Powerhouse Rail director, Tim Wood, is recommended to undertake the role of interim chief executive (Head of Paid Service) with effect from 20 April 'until such time as the new permanent Chief Executive commences employment'.