Tim Foster

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Interim Strategy and Programme Director

Tim Foster has a wealth of experience in Analysis and Strategy roles, having spent more than 20 years in the civil service, first as a Senior Economic Advisor at the Government Economic Service then as a Senior Civil Servant at the Department for Work and Pensions where he was head of labour market analysis and strategy.

Tim joined Transport for the North on secondment in 2016, and has worked across the organisation to help set out a clear case for the transport investment our region needs and deserves. He played a key role in preparing the Strategic Transport Plan, Transport for the North’s ground breaking analytical programme, and led the development of the Strategic Outline Business Case for Northern Powerhouse Rail in 2019. In 2020, Tim joined Transport for the North permanently as head of the Strategy, Policy and Research team.

Born-and-bred in Sheffield, Tim gained his Master’s degree in Political Economy from University of Sheffield and lives in the city with his family.

Tim Foster, Interim Strategy and Programme Director, speaking at TfN meeting

"Strong, credible and robust evidence is at the heart of Transport for the North's mission to bring opportunity and prosperity to millions of people in the North of England. Our members have a bold and ambitious vision for transport in the North. Transport for the North's role is to ensure that vision is backed by a clear and unequivocal evidence base."

Tim Foster