Steve Warrener, the Managing Director of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is the new Chair of the Urban Transport Group – the UK’s network of city region transport authorities.

Steve, who is also Finance and Corporate Services Director at TfGM, has worked at the organisation for 15 years. TfGM is the local government body responsible for delivering Greater Manchester’s transport strategy and commitments (as set by the Mayor and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority). 

His appointment follows the end of the two-year term of outgoing Chair Laura Shoaf, the Chief Executive of West Midlands Combined Authority.

In his role as Managing Director, Steve is responsible for the day to day running of TfGM, which has an annual expenditure of around £350 million. As Finance and Corporate Services Director, he is responsible for the financial management of the organisation and for the negotiation, procurement and the commercial management of a number of significant service and major infrastructure contracts. Steve also plays a major role in securing funding and financing, and in generating commercial revenues.

Steve Warrener said:

“It is a real privilege to have the chance to Chair the Urban Transport Group and to continue to work closely with colleagues across the city regions to tackle the challenges we face in delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable public transport.

“The cost of living crisis, climate emergency and the aftermath of the COVID pandemic make for a difficult operating environment for our member transport authorities - but they are fully committed to ensuring that transport plays its part in creating the greener, healthier and more prosperous city regions we aspire to. Their work in delivering better bus, light rail and heavy rail services, and in making active travel easier, safer and more attractive, contributes to this goal. I am also keen to continue the important work of the Urban Transport Group in making the case for the funding which enables this to happen.

“I’d like to thank Laura Shoaf for helping to steer the Urban Transport Group and its members through the turbulent waters of the pandemic, and I look forward to working with the organisation’s new Director, who will be appointed in the coming months.”

The Urban Transport Group’s Board is made up of seven Directors - one from each of its full members.

Click here to see Steve’s full biography and all of the Urban Transport Group’s Board of Directors.