Highways England has appointed Nick Harris as its Acting Chief Executive.
Harris will take over from 1 February when Jim O’Sullivan steps down from the role.
Harris is currently the company’s Executive Director of Operations and joined the company in 2016.
Since joining Highways England in 2016, he has been responsible for the operation and maintenance of the strategic road network. In this role, he has spearheaded changes in the way Highways England works with its supply chain and introduced innovative ways of working to provide the best possible quality of service to road users and local communities.
Harris is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. His career includes senior roles in water utilities across the UK and overseas.
Highways England chair Dipesh Shah OBE commented: “I am pleased Nick has agreed to act as Chief Executive. I’m confident he’ll build on the work we have all done since 2015 to make Highways England the successful organisation it is today.
“I’d like to thank Jim O’Sullivan for all he has achieved at Highways England. Since he joined the company in 2015 he has been instrumental in so many positive things. He leaves behind a reputation for delivery that is on time and on budget as well as improvements in the culture of customer service and safety that runs through everything we do.”
Harris said: ““Our road network has always played a vital role in connecting the country and boosting the economy, and now even more so. I’m delighted to be taking over, as we move into the second year of our second roads programme.”