Alex Robertson has been named incoming Chief Executive of Transport Focus. He will take up the role on 1 December and succeed Anthony Smith, who is to step down at the end of the year.
Mr Robertson will join the independent watchdog from the Pensions Ombudsman, where he has been Chief Operating Officer since 2020.
Transport Focus says that the senior appointment has been made following a competitive recruitment process, with Mr Robertson having impressed “with his wide-ranging experience, passion for the needs of the transport users, and vision for the future development of Transport Focus as an even more effective voice for the transport user.”
Adds Chair Nigel Stevens: “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to announce Alex Robertson as the new Transport Focus Chief Executive. I look forward to working with him as we seek to ensure that Transport Focus continues to be a powerful voice for the transport user, championing the need of today’s user and influencing policy decisions for the future.”
Before joining the Pensions Ombudsman, Mr Robertson spent five years early in his career with Transport for London, where he worked on policy and public affairs. After a short spell spent in the voluntary sector, he moved to the Electoral Commission as Director of Communications, and Programme Director for the Scottish Referendum in 2014 and the EU Referendum in 2016.
Prior to his present position, he was Executive Director for Strategy and Operations with the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr Robertson says: “I am delighted to be joining Transport Focus as Chief Executive. I am very excited to be able to lead Transport Focus in its important work to represent transport users, and I am looking forward to meeting the team and getting to know the transport sector again.”
