Transport & Infrastructure Lunch

Liz Goldsby is the Head of NPR & High Speed Development at TfGM and is responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of GM’s proposition for relating to these schemes, particularly Liverpool Manchester enhanced railway connectivity and associated Growth Strategies.  TfGM continues to work with partners towards securing an approach to Northern Powerhouse Rail which will transform connectivity across the north of England and provide the right solutions for GM. Prior to joining TfGM in 2018, Liz was Technical Director for WSP, heading up the Stakeholder and Consultation team in the UK and previously led the Stakeholder and Consents team on the Phase 3 Metrolink expansion programme.

With over 40 years’ experience across the finance, transport and technology sectors, Vernon is the Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester. He advises Mayor Andy Burnham on the development of the Bee Network, a fully-integrated, London-style transport system for this growing 3 million strong city-region.

From 2007 to January 2022 he was Managing Director for Customers, Communication and Technology at Transport for London and held a number of other senior jobs there. Vernon’s primary focus was on putting customers at the heart of transport strategy and operations, including how integration of services, city planning, technology and data can deliver better journeys. He led the successful pan-Government and transport industry marketing and communications strategy for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the largest ever integrated campaign of its kind. 

Vernon has worked at senior level at the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England over the previous 18 years in a variety of banking, regulatory, corporate and communications roles. 

Vernon is a non-executive director of Transport for Wales, is senior advisor to the consultancy Teneo and chairs the National Grid ESO Technology Advisory Council as the generation and distribution of energy across the country is transformed. 

Parag has over 26 years of experience in business change, process improvement & innovation across private & public sectors internationally. He was worked on various projects within the transport & automotive sectors, including the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

In his current role at Sprint Reply, Parag leads the Process improvement & Business Transformation practice. His focus is on enhancing processes and customer service, with a particular focus on integrating AI & Automation to significantly boost operational efficiencies.

Parag holds an MBA from Durham University Business School and has completed Strategy & Innovation programme from MIT Sloan Management School, Additionally, he is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Change Management, underscoring his commitment to operational excellence.

Ellen is a Strategy Consultant within Deloitte’s Regional Infrastructure and Real Estate Advisory business.. She specialises in Strategic Development and Transport Advisory, supporting a range of clients to unlock economic growth through infrastructure and place-based transformation. Ellen has previously worked closely with HM Government to support the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure schemes.

With over thirty years of public transport industry experience, David Powell is leading the project to replace the Merseyrail fleet of rolling stock and an associated programme of infrastructure improvements. Initially a rolling stock designer, David has been a Project/Programme Director for the last twenty years, working on a range of railway, metro and tram projects worldwide for both public and private sector organisations.