Five New Deputy Traffic Commissioners Appointed to Bolster Oversight of Road Transport Sector

The Secretary of State has appointed five new Deputy Traffic Commissioners to support the Traffic Commissioners across Great Britain, strengthening the team responsible for regulating the road transport industry.

The appointments bring together a group of legal experts with experience across criminal law, public law, regulatory tribunals, and professional discipline.

The new deputies — Mair Williams, Tehniat Watson, Kate Grimley Evans, Giles Pengelly, and Rakesh Sharma — will work alongside the part-time commissioner team to ensure effective oversight and enforcement of road transport standards. Their appointment is expected to enhance the Traffic Commissioners’ capacity to deal with complex cases, improve compliance, and support road safety across the country.

Mair Williams, based in Cambridge, brings a strong background in criminal law, dispute resolution, and investigations. Her expertise is expected to assist the commissioners in managing challenging legal and regulatory matters.

Tehniat Watson, based in Eastbourne, is a Solicitor Advocate with extensive experience in public law, child protection, and adoption. She also has a background in sports and healthcare regulation, bringing a broad understanding of legal frameworks and compliance issues to the role.

Kate Grimley Evans, also based in Cambridge, qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and serves as a specialist member of the First Tier Tribunal (Information Rights). In addition, she sits on the Advisory Council on the National Records and Archives. Her regulatory and legal experience will support the commissioners in tribunal and compliance matters.

Giles Pengelly, based in Birmingham, has extensive experience in criminal law and will contribute his knowledge to support enforcement and decision-making processes within the transport sector.

Rakesh Sharma, based in Cambridge, is a Solicitor-Advocate with expertise in crime, military, and professional discipline. He currently serves as an Independent Member of the Parole Board for England and Wales, bringing a wealth of regulatory and governance experience to the team.

The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain welcomed the appointments, emphasizing that the new deputies will provide vital support to the part-time commissioner team, ensuring robust oversight of road transport operators. Their combined legal and regulatory expertise is expected to strengthen enforcement, improve compliance, and contribute to maintaining high safety standards across the industry.

These appointments underline the ongoing commitment of the Traffic Commissioners to uphold professional standards, safeguard road users, and ensure that the UK’s transport sector continues to operate safely, efficiently, and in accordance with the law.