Highways England has appointed an airports expert and former Heathrow boss as its new chief executive, following the departure of the popular Graham Dalton.
Jim O’Sullivan will join the organisation on 22 June 2015 and formally take over the role on 1 July 2015.
Mr O’Sullivan was managing director of the Airports Division at Heathrow Airport Holdings (BAA) between October 2012 and December 2014 and worked at British Airways for 14 years between 1988 and 2002. He has also been managing director at Edinburgh Airport.
Jim O'Sullivan
Taking over at the helm of the former Highways Agency, Mr O’Sullivan will have to immediately lead the new government-owned company through delivering £11bn of improvements to England’s motorways and major A roads by 2020.
Secretary of state for transport Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘Jim’s experience of leading world-class infrastructure companies means I can be confident he will ensure that the benefits of the record investment this government is making in our roads delivers for drivers and businesses across the whole of the UK on time and on budget.’
Highways England chairman Colin Matthews said: ‘I am delighted to announce Jim’s appointment to lead Highways England in a new, challenging era. I would like to thank Graham Dalton for his leadership over the past seven years.
'He has been responsible for significant improvement schemes, as well as meeting the needs of the nation during severe weather and events of international interest such as the 2012 Olympics, all culminating in the successful transition from the Highways Agency to Highways England.’
A Highways England spokesman said Mr O'Sullivan's pay agreement would be released through the company's annual accounts next year.
