Martin Tugwell has been named as the next chief executive of Transport for the North (TfN).

Tugwell will succeed Barry White, who is due to step down this month.

TfN’s current Northern Powerhouse Rail Director Tim Wood will become interim chief executive until Tugwell officially joins the organisation this summer.

“Martin has over 20 years’ experience in transport and investment senior leadership roles in the public sector and will join TfN from England’s Economic Heartland, the Sub-national Transport Body for the region including Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire,” said TfN.

“He’s also the current President of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).”

Transport for the North chairman John Cridland said: “This is a crucial leadership role for the North of England and Martin fits the bill.

“His extensive professional experience coupled with his drive to make tomorrow better than today means he’s perfectly placed to lead TfN.

“He’ll work with our board to take on the immediate challenges and opportunities facing the North and continue the great work TfN has consistently delivered since it was established.

“I’d also like to once again put on public record my sincere thanks to Barry White.

“Barry has played a pivotal role in TfN’s success.

“He secured adoption of our 30-year Strategic Transport Plan for the North and led TfN through the challenges of responding to the May 2018 timetable crisis.

“We thank him for his dedication and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Tugwell said: “It’s an honour to take up leadership of Transport for the North at this critical moment for the levelling-up agenda.

“I’ve always been a passionate advocate for the ability of better transport connections to change lives and create more opportunities.

“That belief is the central mission of Transport for the North, one that’s more important today than ever.

“I can’t wait to work with the North’s ambitious leaders to drive real change in the region, making transport more accessible, inclusive and sustainable for future generations.”

Wood said: “There are some significant decisions on future investment expected in the coming months and we stand ready to work with Government on the next steps for key projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail.”