Shamit Gaiger OBE (pictured) has been appointed as the new chair of trustees at Campaign for Better Transport.
She is taking over from John Stewart who is retiring after six years in the post.
Ms Gaiger has an extensive career in rail, leading the Rail Sector Deal on behalf of the Government at the Department for Transport.
She was appointed managing director of the West Coast Partnership Development in 2022 and has held several leadership roles including at the National Skills Academy for Rail, AECOM and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), where she established the cross-industry Sustainable Rail Programme.
Ms Gaiger is a non-executive director of Women in Rail, president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s (CILT) Railway Study Forum and has been on Campaign for Better Transport’s board of trustees since 2019.
Ms Gaiger said: 'Transport is crucial to the country; it drives economic success, connects people and commerce, and can provide a planet fit for future generations.
'Campaign for Better Transport is at the forefront of the drive to make transport more sustainable and reduce its negative effects, to create a transport network that delivers a fairer society. I am very much looking forward to working with the team during this exciting time.'
Paul Tuohy, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'We are delighted that Shamit is taking over the reins of Chair of Trustees. As a trustee, her extensive experience, skills and knowledge of the transport sector have been an invaluable asset and as Chair, she will be able to continue her work supporting Campaign for Better Transport to deliver its aims to bring sustainable transport to all.
'I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Chair John Stewart for all his hard work, dedication and support. John will continue to champion sustainable transport through his role as a trustee of Campaign for Better Transport.'
Mr Stewart said: 'In my six years as Chair of Campaign for Better Transport I have seen the charity go from strength to strength. I am now passing the baton to Shamit at a time of national change with transport very much front and centre of that change.'
