Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt (pictured, right) has been named preferred candidate for the position of Chair of Transport for Wales (TfW) by Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates.
Mr Everitt has been a non-executive director of TfW since September 2019 and Chair of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) since April 2024 in addition to his Commissioner responsibilities in the latter conurbation, which he took up in March 2022.
The appointment is subject to scrutiny by the Senedd Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure committee on 19 June. Speaking about his favour of Mr Everitt as TfW Chair, Mr Skates says: “Vernon brings a wealth of transport experience from both Manchester and London, as well as already being very familiar with our priorities in Wales.”
As Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner, Mr Everitt has overseen the transition to a franchised bus network in that city region. TfW is heavily involved in the same planned transition across Wales, which is expected to commence rollout in 2027.
Mr Skates will confirm his decision on the appointment of Mr Everitt after the scrutiny hearing. If it goes ahead, Mr Everitt will succeed Scott Waddington. The organisation has an annual budget of almost ÂŁ1 billion and it has around 4,000 employees. As Chair, he will serve as the key interface between the TfW board and Welsh ministers.
Mr Everitt will also ensure that the TfW board’s policies and actions “support the cabinet secretary’s wider strategic policies, that TfW’s role in discharging the functions of Welsh minister is delivered effectively, and that TfW’s affairs are conducted with probity,” papers published ahead of the scrutiny hearing note.
They add that 17 candidates for the Chair role were shortlisted. Mr Everitt currently works three days per week as Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner. The TfW Chair position requires 60 days’ work per annum. TfGM has confirmed that if Mr Everitt is appointed TfW Chair, it will have no impact on his work in Greater Manchester.
In a personal statement published as part of the pre-scrutiny papers, Mr Everitt notes that he leads “with an inclusive and decisive style” and publicly communicates “in plain language.”
Prior to joining TfGM in 2022, Mr Everitt served in senior roles at Transport for London and the Financial Services Authority. His career began at the Bank of England, and he served as a Trustee of the London Transport Museum from 2014 to 2023.
