Kane replaces Plowden as TPS Chair

Nicola Kane is the new Chair of the Transport Planning Society (TPS) taking over from Ben Plowden. Kane, who is a Director at Steer, was elected unopposed and will serve in the role for two years. 

Earlier this year Plowden was appointed as CEO of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). The TPS Board reached the view that his new role could create a conflict of interest for the Society, for example in terms of public comment on transport policy.

Kane has 25 years’ experience in the transport sector. At Steer she has responsibility for client relationships in the UK North, including Scotland, and she is also market lead for transport policy and strategy development and delivery across the UK, working closely with a number of Mayoral Combined Authorities and local authorities.

Prior to joining Steer in November 2022, Kane spent eight years at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and for much of that time she was Head of Strategic Planning, Insight and Innovation.

At TfGM Kane led the development of Greater Manchester’s Transport Strategy for 2040 (LTP4), including a five-year transport delivery plan, Streets for All Strategy and a new City Centre Transport Strategy for Manchester and Salford. She also led the strategic case for Greater Manchester’s successful £1bn City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement bid to Government. 

Before joining TfGM, she spent three years as Senior Associate at Peter Brett Associates and was at JMP Consulting for 10 years.