Merseytravel’s Brown is new Transport for the North chief

Transport for the North has appointed Merseytravel Chief Executive and Director General David Brown as its new chief executive.

Brown’s appointment comes ahead of the publication of Transport for the North’s (TfN’s) updated strategy for transforming the Northern economy through significantly enhanced connectivity between the city regions. This is expected in March 2016. A report will also be published in the autumn of 2015 highlighting progress to date.

In the interim, the process to appoint an independent chairman before the end of 2015 is under way, with plans to develop TfN into a statutory body by 2017. Brown will begin his new role in late October/November.

Prior to joining Merseytravel, Brown headed the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. He also led the establishment of Rail North.

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: “We set up Transport for the North so the region can exercise real power and make its voice heard on how we can best invest in transport. That’s why we have given Transport for the North £30 million to take forward its work over the next three years. I look forward to working with David as together we transform northern transport and build the Northern Powerhouse.”