National Highways chief executive Nick Harris has told the transport secretary that, after five years in the job, he is now stepping down.
Harris will remain in post for a short transition period while the board sorts out interim leadership arrangements. Recruitment for a permanent successor will begin in the spring.
Harris joined National Highways as operations director in 2016, when it had just rebranded from Highways Agency to Highways England. He had previously worked in the water industry, mostly for Thames Water.
At National Highways he got more than 拢426,000 last year, including bonuses 鈥� twice as much as the prime minister. He recently turned 60 years of age.
鈥淪erving as chief executive of National Highways has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,鈥� Harris said. 鈥淎s we approach the start of the next five year Road Investment Strategy, this is the right moment for me to hand over to new leadership who will guide the organisation into its next chapter.
鈥淚 am immensely proud of what we have achieved together over the last five years 鈥� delivering safer, greener, more reliable roads; strengthening our relationships with partners; and modernising the organisation for the future. National Highways is in great shape, with exceptional people and a clear vision for what comes next.鈥�
National Highways chair Gareth Rhys Williams said: 鈥淣ick has led the organisation through an important period of change and achievement, through the pandemic amongst other challenges. We thank him for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to building an organisation well set to rise to an ambitious and stretching set of new targets and outcomes embedded in RIS3 and the recently announced safety strategy.鈥�
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: 鈥淚 want to recognise Nick Harris鈥檚 contribution to National Highways over the past five years. My department will work with the board to ensure a smooth transition to new executive leadership, as we continue our joint work to improve and maintain our major road network.鈥�
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
