TfN chief exec to step down 

Transport for the North’s chief executive Barry White will step down next May after more than three years in the role. 

White plans to take a career break after the submission of the next business case for Northern Powerhouse Rail, the £39bn project aimed at significantly improving connectivity between the key economic centres of the North. 

A process to appoint his successor has now begun. 

Prior to his appointment at TfN, established in 2018 to drive strategic transport improvements across the North of England, White spent just under nine years as chief executive of infrastructure development company Scottish Futures Trust. 

John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North, said: “We thank Barry for his leadership, contribution and achievements, in particular submitting our 30-year Strategic Transport Plan to Government last year.  

“Barry also led TfN through the challenges of responding to the May 2018 timetable crisis and remains on track to submit the next business case for Northern Powerhouse Rail next March. We wish him the very best for the future.” 

White said: “The people at TfN are remarkable, their hard work and passion have helped drive forward the agenda for investment in the North. It’s been a privilege to work with them, alongside the North’s civic and business leaders, in firmly establishing Transport for the North as one clear voice on transport investment.”