Former South Yorkshire Transport Chief Tom Bousfield Joins Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Drive

Experienced infrastructure and transport strategist appointed to lead ambitious plans aimed at unlocking economic growth, improving connectivity and shaping one of the UK's fastest-growing regions

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has strengthened its transport leadership with the appointment of Tom Bousfield as its new Executive Director of Transport, bringing one of the country's most experienced public sector transport strategists to oversee the region's ambitious infrastructure programme.

Bousfield joins from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, where he served as Executive Director for Growth, Business and Skills, playing a central role in shaping investment strategies designed to support economic development, skills and regional regeneration.

His appointment comes as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough accelerates plans to transform its transport network to accommodate significant population growth while supporting its long-term ambition of becoming one of Europe's leading centres for innovation, technology and sustainable economic development.

Proven Experience Across National Transport Policy

With a career spanning central government, economic policy and regional transport leadership, Bousfield brings extensive experience of developing infrastructure investment programmes at both national and local level.

He began his career with the New Economics Foundation before moving into a series of influential government positions, including serving as Senior Economic Adviser to the National Infrastructure Commission within HM Treasury.

He later joined the Cabinet Office's Prime Minister's Implementation Unit, where he advised on the delivery of key government priorities, before returning to HM Treasury as Head of Local and International Transport.

During this period he was responsible for overseeing significant national funding programmes covering local transport, bus investment and England's strategic roads network, giving him first-hand experience of managing some of the country's largest transport investment portfolios.

Delivering the Region's Long-Term Vision

The Combined Authority said Bousfield's appointment will play a critical role in delivering its long-term economic strategy, which aims to triple the size of the regional economy by 2050.

Central to that ambition is the creation of a transport network capable of supporting housing growth, improving access to employment, reducing congestion and strengthening connections between communities, businesses and internationally recognised research institutions.

The authority believes transport investment will be fundamental to unlocking future development while ensuring growth remains sustainable.

Leadership at a Critical Time

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow welcomed the appointment, describing Bousfield as a leader capable of delivering the strategic change required to modernise the region's transport network.

He said Bousfield brings:

"the strategic capability and collaborative leadership needed to get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving."

His appointment follows a period of increasing focus on improving regional connectivity through investment in public transport, active travel, highways infrastructure and integrated transport planning.

Looking Ahead

Commenting on his new role, Bousfield said he was excited to be joining the authority during what he described as a defining period for the region.

He said:

"I'm delighted to be joining the Combined Authority at such a pivotal moment."

His arrival signals the authority's intention to strengthen its transport leadership as it seeks to deliver infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic growth while responding to changing travel patterns, environmental challenges and the needs of one of the UK's fastest-expanding regional economies.

With extensive experience spanning national transport policy, infrastructure funding and regional economic development, Bousfield is expected to play a key role in shaping the next generation of transport investment across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, helping create a more connected, resilient and economically competitive region over the coming decades.