Andy Lord confirmed as Transport for London’s permanent transport commissioner

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Andy Lord, commissioner for Transport

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the TfL board made the announcement after conducting “a rigorous international search and selection process”.

Lord joined TfL in November 2019 as London Underground managing director before becoming chief operating officer for all of TfL’s operations in 2022.

He was then appointed as commissioner on an interim basis in October 2022 after former commissioner Andy Byford resigned just weeks after TfL accepted a £3.6bn capital funding settlement from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Since then, TfL stated Lord has been focused on attracting customers to public transport, rebuilding TfL’s finances and advancing TfL’s work to decarbonise and improve London’s environment.

TfL revealed the base salary of the commissioner is £395,000 per annum.

Lord said: “TfL is an incredible organisation, full of highly committed people who come to work each day to serve our customers and to make the capital a better place.

“I would like to thank them all for the incredible support they have given me. I am hugely honoured and proud to do this job and to have the opportunity to continue to steer TfL as we move forward with the work of supporting London’s recovery from the pandemic, ensuring TfL better reflects the diverse city we serve whilst becoming the green heartbeat of the capital.

“In the months ahead, one of my key focuses will be on securing the long-term government funding that we need to continue our vital work. With transport authorities across the UK now having long-term ‘London-style’ funding agreements in place, London is now ironically the outlier.

“With the amazing economic driver that is the Elizabeth line, and with our partners and supply chain across the country, we have proven that investment in transport in London can benefit the entire UK. We must now move forward and work together to provide the services and infrastructure that will benefit everyone.”

According to TfL, over 213 individuals were identified for the role, ten of those candidates were long-listed which was then brought down to a four candidate shortlisted. A core project group, including TfL’s chief people officer, general counsel and the deputy mayor for transport worked with Spencer Stuart to oversee the recruitment process. Members of TfL’s board, including the mayor, interviewed candidates and led the assessment and selection decisions.

While Lord was chief operation officer at TfL he oversaw the completion of the transformational Elizabeth line railway, the delivery of the Bank station upgrade and the development of the plans for new bus provision in outer London. He further led the operational transport response for key events across the city, most notably The Platinum Jubilee and the ceremonial events marking the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

As managing director of London Underground, Lord led the transport network’s operational response to the Covid pandemic. He has been responsible for the Northern line extension and the extension of London Overground to Barking Riverside.

Before TfL, Lord spent nearly 30 years in the commercial aviation sector, including 26 years at British Airways that saw him appointed as director of operations for just over seven years. Andy is also a non-executive director for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support Agency.

Khan said: “I’m delighted to confirm Lord as London’s permanent transport commissioner. He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise to lead TfL as we work to deliver the most affordable, accessible and sustainable transport network possible.

“I have seen first-hand his dedication to rebuilding TfL’s finances following the devastating impact of the pandemic and his commitment to delivering better services for Londoners and more sustainable travel across the capital, as well as promoting walking and cycling.

“I look forward to working with him as we continue building a safer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone – and a transport system that remains the envy of the world.”

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