David is Strategic Rail Director at Transport for the North (TfN), England's first Sub-national Transport Body.  David oversees TfN's strategic rail programme as well as local input to the management of the Northern and TransPennine franchises. David has worked on the development and implementation of rail devolution in the North of England, including the progression of a Long Term Rail Strategy for the North of England which forms a major part of Transport for the North’s Strategic Transport Plan  - which demonstrates how investment in transport infrastructure can drive economic growth, improve people lives, and provide greater opportunities for people across the North. David was previously the Director of Rail North, which was merged with Transport for the North when it became a statutory body in 2018. Prior to this David was Director for Development at West Yorkshire Combined Authority and West Yorkshire’s lead on rail strategy, services and projects. David has an M.Sc in Transport Planning from the University of Newcastle and worked for JMP Consultants and the City of York Council prior to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.