Transport Planning Society Board of Directors - Call for Nominations to the Board

The Transport Planning Society (TPS) provides support and leadership to the transport planning profession, but its own leadership is delivered by a Board of 15 elected Directors, including the Chair. All members of the Society are eligible for election as a Director, and we encourage you to consider joining the Board in the March 2026 elections.

The Board provides overall governance oversight of TPS, but Board members are also actively involved in delivering the Society’s five strategic objectives. These are to ensure TPS is influential and proactive in improving policy and practice and in setting the transport agenda at national, regional and local levels; to provide a structured training programme, assessments and qualifications that support the career progression of transport planners; to build a strong and sustainable core membership base and grow membership, particularly in geographical areas and sectors where transport planners are under-represented, while proactively creating an open, diverse and inclusive transport planning community; to continue running an effective TPS operation that provides the widest possible forum for engagement on relevant and topical transport planning issues; and to improve public understanding of, and confidence in, transport planning and transport planners, promoting transport planning as a profession.

There will be eight Board positions available in 2026. Once elected, new Board members will be expected to contribute actively, taking responsibility for a discrete area of work either independently or in partnership with another Board member. As a result of forthcoming changes to the Board, there will be opportunities to lead in areas including the Transport Planner or Young Transport Planner of the Year Awards, member induction, regions and nations, young professionals, equality, diversity and inclusion, and skills apprenticeships.

The Board should reflect the views of TPS’s diverse membership, and we welcome nominations from those working in the private sector, public sector or academia; those based in the UK or elsewhere; those employed by SMEs or larger organisations; and individuals at any career stage, including students, young professionals, mid-career and late-career professionals, or those who are retired. The current Board already reflects many of these backgrounds, and whatever your position, you will bring a valuable and unique perspective to the Board’s work.

Being an active Board member is a unique and rewarding experience. It gives you the opportunity to lead activities that are essential to the efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement of TPS. It places you at the heart of the transport planning community, offers new insight into how the Society operates and influences the transport agenda, and enables you to build a wide network of professional contacts. With the support of the Board, it also allows you to pursue personal initiatives that can enhance the profession or improve the Society’s offer to members.

In return, we ask for a three-year commitment to being part of the Society’s leadership, which may be extended to six years following re-election. Board members are expected to attend six meetings per year, comprising a mix of online meetings and hybrid in-person meetings in London, including one external hybrid meeting. Meetings are typically held on the first or second Thursday of the month in the afternoon. The Board meeting dates for 2026 are 21 January, 5 March, 7 May, 16 July, 10 September and 5 November. Board members are also asked to progress actions between meetings. While levels of input vary, most Board members contribute approximately 15–20 hours per month, meaning employer support may be required.

If you are motivated to contribute to the development of the transport planning profession and enthusiastic about the role of TPS, we encourage you to put yourself forward for election in March. Nominations must be supported by a proposer and three seconders. All candidates, proposers and seconders must be paid-up individual members of TPS. Please note that, as TPS is a Company Limited by Guarantee, all Board members are required to act as Company Directors. If you require further information on this, please contact the Company Secretary at company.secretary@tps.org.uk.

A link to the online nomination form has been sent to all members who have listed an email address on their MYICE record, along with a copy of this letter. Completed nominations, including a supporting statement of up to 150 words, must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 30 January 2026. Supporting statements should outline the areas of work you would be interested in leading.

If more nominations are received than there are available Board positions, a member ballot will be held, with results announced at the AGM on 5 March 2026. Successful candidates’ first commitment will be attendance at the Board meeting on 7 May 2026.

If you would like an informal conversation about joining the Board, please contact Nicola Kane at Nicola.Kane@steergroup.com.

Yours faithfully,
Kieran Seale
Company Secretary
Transport Planning Society

Case Studies

Tom van Vuren (TPS Board Director, 2021–2026)
Tom reflects that, after more than 20 years as a TPS member, he had always been proud of the profession but had not previously considered becoming actively involved. During the COVID period, when professional interaction was limited, serving on the Board provided an opportunity to contribute meaningfully and have his voice heard on key debates such as climate change, vision-led planning and the so-called “War on the Motorist”. Board membership allowed him to focus on areas he cared about most, including serving as Policy Director, leading the Transport Planner and Young Transport Planner of the Year competitions, and acting as both mentor and judge for the annual Bursary competition. While a Board role does not offer material rewards, Tom highlights the strong networking opportunities, personal profile benefits and the chance to influence how transport planning contributes to a better world.

Tim Cuthbert (TPS Board Director, 2020–2026)
As Tim approached 30 years in the profession, he felt it was time to give something back to the transport planning community. Returning to the UK after working in New Zealand provided the opportunity to re-engage with TPS, leading to his appointment to the Board in 2020. He describes his time on the Board as a privilege, working alongside talented colleagues and engaging with practitioners at all career stages. This experience broadened his understanding of the profession beyond his consultancy role and gave him valuable insight into running an organisation the size of TPS with largely voluntary effort. As Membership Director, Tim oversaw strategies to attract and retain individual and corporate members, working closely with other Board members on events, fees, professional development schemes and initiatives such as the Mentoring Scheme. He strongly recommends getting involved with TPS, describing the experience as challenging, rewarding and career-enhancing.

Joely Hill (TPS Board Director, 2025–ongoing)
Joely describes joining TPS, and subsequently the Board of Directors, as one of the best decisions she has made. She values the strong sense of community TPS creates among transport planners and highlights the welcoming, diverse and passionate nature of its members. Although initially unsure what Board membership would involve, she has since met a wide range of professionals, spoken at events, participated in roundtable discussions and enjoyed exchanging ideas with others who share an interest in transport planning. From a personal perspective, Joely credits TPS with building her confidence and supporting her career development, opening doors to new opportunities and connections. She wholeheartedly recommends joining TPS and encourages others to get involved, promising it is an experience they will not regret.