TPS Chair's Outgoing Message

10th July marked the occasion of my final meeting as Chair of the Transport Planning Society. It provoked mixed emotions - sadness at concluding what has been a hugely rewarding experience, but also delight in passing the TPS baton to my successor, Nicola Kane, and in leaving the Board and wider organisation in such robust health.

Challenging times

Since my election as TPS Chair in March 2023, the landscape has been tumultuous - both globally and within the UK, and specifically in relation to the TPS’s continued development.

Key developments over this period include:

• A "landslide" victory for the Labour Party in the 2024 general election
• The commencement of a major programme of reform in UK transport and planning policy, including:
  • Development of the first Integrated National Transport Strategy for England in over 25 years
  • Major rail sector reform
  • Ongoing bus sector reform
  • Further devolution of funding and authority to city regions
  • Significant investment in regional transport infrastructure (confirmed in the recent CSR)
  • Funding confirmation for other major infrastructure projects, including the Lower Thames Crossing
  • Approval for airport expansions, including Heathrow
  • Significant planning system reforms aimed at accelerating infrastructure and housing delivery, including the Government’s 1.5 million new homes target
• The re-election of Donald Trump as US President in November 2024
• Global economic disruption due to President Trump’s tariff policies and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East
• Increasing evidence of the potentially devastating social and economic impacts of the Climate Emergency - in the UK, Europe, and globally

The TPS’s continuing journey

Amid these challenges, TPS has continued to evolve, supported by the dedicated voluntary efforts of the Board and our delivery partners at ICE and JFG Communications.

Organisational development

At the October 2023 Board Strategy Away Day, there was a clear appetite to increase TPS’s impact and influence - initially by making more effective use of our existing resources. A session with Sonia Byers from Women in Transport provided an excellent case study in how paid staff can help organisations step up their impact.

As a result, the Board commissioned Lisa Martin to deliver a time-limited organisational development project, aiming to identify how TPS could continue - and accelerate - its growth.

Lisa’s work has already led to several positive developments, including:

• Development of the TPS Corporate Partnership Programme and creation of a new Public Sector Partner category
• Rationalisation and reorganisation of Board portfolios
• Introduction of a structured induction programme to ensure all Board members are equipped to contribute fully
• Revisions to Board meeting structures to align more closely with TPS strategic priorities
• Improved support for regional representatives through work with the Regions and Nations Lead, increasing TPS’s regional visibility

Lisa will present her recommended organisational development options to the Board in the coming months.

Policy

Mark Frost and Lisa Martin have built successfully on the foundation laid by Tom van Vuren to strengthen TPS’s policy work and influence. Many sector leaders have joined the new policy panel and are now actively contributing through dedicated working groups.

Events and sector best practice

TPS has maintained a strong events and best practice programme, now led by Liani Baglietto Castellares, who took over from Ruby Stringer.

Key highlights include:

• Two successful Transport Planning Days featuring high-profile speakers and excellent member turnout
• The replacement of the annual dinner with a successful Summer Reception
• A comprehensive monthly webinar programme, regularly drawing 200+ attendees
• High-quality submissions to the Bursary programme and the Transport Planner/Young Transport Planner of the Year awards
• Continuation of the ever-popular TPS Annual Quiz

Skills and professional development

The TPS Skills Programme remains a cornerstone of the organisation’s credibility. Skills Director Keith Buchan has continued to develop this area while safeguarding TPS’s position among other sector training providers.

The activities outlined above represent just a snapshot of TPS’s recent progress - particularly those areas where I’ve been directly involved. Developments across Regions and Nations, Comms, and Membership have been equally impressive.

The next chapter

The TPS’s impact and reputation continue to owe a huge amount to the continued efforts of the Board, supported by our partners in the ICE and JFG. This allows the TPS to punch significantly above its relatively modest organisational weight. The significant impact of Lisa’s organisational development work indicates what a transformative effect even a small amount of dedicated "staff" time could have on the TPS’s "reach".

It has been a huge pleasure and a privilege to be TPS Chair over the past 2 ½ years, standing on the shoulders of my giant predecessors. I am delighted to be passing the baton to Nicola Kane, who will do a brilliant job in continuing to develop the organisation and further increase its profile and impact. I am very grateful to my fellow Board members for everything they have done and continue to do to represent transport planners, support their professional development and influence policy makers to deliver the sustainable transport system we urgently need to underpin a sustainable economy and society.