TfWM Executive Director Anne Shaw OBE to Lead Ireland’s National Transport Authority

Anne Shaw, executive director of transport for West Midlands, is moving to a job in Ireland

Anne Shaw OBE, executive director at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), has confirmed she will step down later this year to take up the position of chief executive of Ireland’s National Transport Authority (NTA).

In a statement shared on social media, Ms Shaw described her eight years at TfWM as “the privilege of my career,” adding that she was “immensely proud” of the progress made during her time in the role.

Legacy in the West Midlands

Ms Shaw joined TfWM in 2016 and has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s transport strategy. Among her key achievements were:

• Overseeing transport operations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, ensuring that more than a million additional journeys were delivered efficiently during the international event.

• Establishing the Regional Transport Co-ordination Centre, bringing together local authorities and operators to strengthen collaboration and improve passenger experience.

• Driving Metro expansion projects, including the reopening of rail stations and extending services to better connect communities.

• Being named, alongside Laura Shoaf, as the UK’s first Violence Against Women and Girls Transport Champion, advising on safety and security for female passengers across the nation’s transport networks.

  
  

Reflecting on her work, Ms Shaw said:

“Together, we’ve delivered billions of pounds of investment in rail, tram, bus, active travel and roads, and put in place bold plans to transform how people move across the West Midlands. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary TfWM team and the wider transport community, whose dedication inspires me every day.Transport changes lives, creates opportunity and connects us all. I’m excited to take on this new challenge in Ireland but will always be proud of what we’ve achieved here together.”

Praise from Colleagues

Her departure has drawn tributes from colleagues and partners across the sector. Mark Corbin, director of network resilience at TfWM and chair of the ADEPT National Traffic Managers Forum, described Ms Shaw as a leader who “led with integrity, empathy and courage and did an extraordinary job during an extraordinary time.”

Industry observers have highlighted her ability to manage complex transport operations during periods of both growth and challenge, noting her role in securing long-term funding and investment for the region’s infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

In her new post, Ms Shaw will take charge of the National Transport Authority of Ireland, which oversees the country’s public transport services, active travel programmes, and the rollout of sustainable mobility projects. The move is seen as a significant appointment for the NTA, with Ms Shaw bringing extensive experience in delivering integrated transport solutions at both regional and national levels.

Her successor at TfWM has not yet been announced.