A lunchtime conversation on what’s next for Britain’s innovation railway.

The Tyne and Wear Metro is arguably the UK’s boldest and most successful post-war urban rail development. It’s also the bone structure of the region’s economy, identity and daily life. In the third of UTG’s Urban Transport Next series of lunchtime conversations, our panel will discuss how the Metro came about in the first place. And what does the future hold for this unique and pioneering light rail system?

UTG is the UK’s network of city region transport authorities. Together, we work to ensure that transport plays its full part in making our city regions greener, fairer, happier, healthier and more prosperous places.

Date: Wednesday 24th February

Time: 1-2pm

The event is free but you do need to register to attend

About the panel

Tobyn Hughes

Tobyn Hughes is the Managing Director of Transport North East, ensuring the development and delivery of an excellent transport system for the North East.

Tobyn is passionate about improving travel for people who live and work in North East England and has extensive knowledge of the commercial, operational and regulatory environments involved in rail, Metro and local bus services. He is also a keen advocate for helping more people to walk and cycle as part of their daily lives.

In his role Tobyn is the principal transport adviser to the North East Joint Transport Committee, which brings together the two Combined Authorities in North East England around a shared transport agenda.  The Committee is consulting on a new £6bn Transport Plan to move the region towards a green, healthy, dynamic and thriving transport system.

Tobyn is also Director General of Nexus, the body responsible for providing high quality integrated public transport services through the Tyne and Wear Metro system, Shields Ferry, bus, ticketing and information services.  He also plays a leading role in Transport for the North and the Urban Transport Group.

A Newcastle University graduate, he has over 25 years’ experience working in aviation, bus and rail transport.

Huw Lewis

Huw Lewis is Customer Services Director for Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive.  He leads on all aspects of customer experience, products and payments, marketing and communications for the Tyne and Wear Metro - one of Britain's busiest urban rail networks.  

Huw also leads delivery of all local-authority funded public transport for the cities of Newcastle, Sunderland and surrounding communities.  This includes the delivery of bus services, through contracts and partnerships with operators, and the 700-year-old Shields Ferry across the mouth of the Tyne.  

Huw’s background is in corporate communications, having previously been a journalist and newspaper executive in Britain and globally.  

Mike Parker

Mike has worked most of his life in public transport and in the public sector with over 25 years at a senior level.  For 12 years he was Chief Executive of Nexus - the largest Passenger Transport Executive in the UK (in terms of staff).

His last two major roles - Nexus and Centro - involved regular contact with politicians at local and national level, working with/briefing Secretaries of State, government ministers, MPs, councillors, civil servants, etc.

His career started with London Transport where he had a number of roles in both operations and communications.  He was responsible for the launch of the Travelcard and the “Fares Fair” campaign promoting the major reduction in fares initiated by the Greater London Council.

He says Nexus’ major achievement, of which he was most proud while he was there, was the extension of the Metro to Sunderland and South Hylton.