The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has appointed Tom Bousfield as its new Executive Director of Transport, placing him at the heart of efforts to deliver the Mayor’s ambition to transform connectivity across the region.
The senior strategic role will be critical in supporting the Combined Authority’s long-term economic vision, including its target to triple the size of the local economy by 2050. Transport is a central pillar of this ambition, acting as a key enabler within the region’s Local Growth Plan.
Driving economic growth through connectivity
The CPCA has made clear that improved transport infrastructure will underpin growth across high-value sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy and clean technology. By strengthening connectivity, leaders aim to ensure businesses can expand, residents can access employment and education, and communities can share in future prosperity.
Bousfield’s appointment signals a renewed focus on building a modern, integrated transport network that not only improves everyday journeys but also unlocks new economic opportunities.
Experienced leadership from across government
Bousfield joins from the South Yorkshire Combined Authority, where he currently serves as Executive Director. His career spans senior roles in central government, including positions at HM Treasury, the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit, the No.10 Policy Unit and the National Infrastructure Commission.
He brings extensive experience in:
- Managing national transport funding portfolios
- Overseeing major programmes in buses and roads
- Leading transport appraisal, assurance and business case development
This breadth of expertise is expected to help the Combined Authority deliver complex projects while ensuring value for money and strategic alignment with national priorities.
The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, emphasised the importance of the appointment in achieving the region’s ambitions:
“My mission is clear: to get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving. That means delivering better buses today, securing faster rail links for tomorrow, improving our roads, and embracing new transport innovations that support our Local Growth Plan and unlock the full potential of our region. Tom brings the strategic capability and collaborative leadership needed to make this happen. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Bousfield also highlighted his enthusiasm for the role and its wider impact:
“I’m delighted to be joining the Combined Authority at such a pivotal moment. Mayor Bristow’s ambition to get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving is exactly the kind of mission I want to be part of – using transport as a genuine engine of growth, better connecting our places, and improving the everyday journeys that matter most to residents and businesses. I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor, Rob and the whole team to deliver it.”
A key step towards 2050 ambitions
The appointment comes at a crucial time as the Combined Authority accelerates delivery against its Local Growth Plan. With transport recognised as a catalyst for inclusive growth, Bousfield’s leadership will be central to shaping a system that:
- Strengthens links between urban and rural communities
- Supports placemaking and sustainable development
- Improves access to jobs, education and services
For public sector leaders across the UK, the move highlights the growing importance of transport strategy as a driver of regional economic transformation.
Image credit: iStock
