TfL Elizabeth Line Director Howard Smith to retire

Howard Smith is retiring from his role as Director, Elizabeth Line, at Transport for London in October.

Mr Smith, joined the Crossrail project in 2012 having held a leading transport role in the London Olympics that same year.

TfL Chief Operating Officer Claire Mann said that Mr Smith had been instrumental in transforming the capital’s transport network. “His hard work over the nearly four decades has left a lasting legacy in London, most notably on the Elizabeth Line, which is now the single busiest railway service in the UK. 

“His unwavering passion for the railways will be missed in TfL, and I would like to thank Howard for his outstanding career.”  

Mr Smith studied at the London School of Economics before joining British Rail and managing stations and operations in South and West London. He worked on planning for the Channel Tunnel and managed international freight joint ventures serving France and Italy.

At TfL he directed operations and major extensions to the Docklands Light Railway and the creation of London Overground. 

He has also chaired the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators, international railway benchmarking groups and was awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to transport in London.