Helen joined the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in 2017 and has held the Head of Transport Policy role since May 2021. Helen has previously had almost 10 years in transport Consultancy working in and leading transport policy teams. Whilst in Consultancy Helen led on a number of large funding bids and business cases for several Combined Authorities and worked in the team to establish Transport for the North.

Helen is now leading the Transport Policy team at the Combined Authority to lead and develop the policies and strategies across the full transport portfolio. Working in partnership with Senior Political Members, District Partners and external stakeholders Helen leads complex and challenging policy discussions and negotiations. She also leads on the development of the transport policies and strategies as they move into programmes for delivery, through the development of funding bids and subsequent negotiations with Senior Government officials.

In recent years, West Yorkshire has established itself as a major urban transport force and as an exemplar city region for multi-modal transport delivery. In the coming year, in particular, WYCA will develop and consult on a new Local Transport Plan, progress the move to bus franchising; bring forward its proposals for the first mass transit lines for consultation; continue to deliver its current £2 billion-plus multi-modal investment programme; progress the case Northern Powerhouse rail connectivity; and, most importantly, continue to support the travel needs of our 2.3 million residents on a daily basis.

Helen has a passion for the role transport plays in delivering sustainable and inclusive city regions for everyone to be able to live and work, creating a positive outcome for West Yorkshire. Helen enjoys working with a range of people to champion change and particularly enjoys collaborating with partners and stakeholder organisations and has extensive experience of managing complex and competing priorities, communicating and negotiating with senior partners, officials and political members including senior Leaders and the Mayor.