Rob Whiteman CBE will be joining National Highways as a Non-Executive Director and chair of its Audit and Risk Committee, starting 1 January 2025, after what the organisation calls “a fair and open competition”.
He replaces Kathryn Cearns OBE who will leave the Board in December, having been Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for almost seven years.
A qualified accountant and public sector leader, Mr Whiteman has extensive risk and audit experience. In local government he was Director of Resources at the London Borough of Lewisham, before becoming Chief Executive of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council, during which time the council received top ranking from the Audit Commission.
As managing director of the local government Improvement & Development Agency (IDeA) he led local government’s response to the government’s agenda for greater self-regulation and improvement. He went on to become Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency, and, between 2013 and June 2024, was Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
National Highways adds that Mr Whiteman has significant experience as a non-executive, having held several NHS appointments, including, since July 2022, Chair of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.
Welcoming him, National Highways Chair Gareth Rhys Williams said: “Rob is a seasoned Non-Executive Director and CEO. He will bring valuable insight from across the public sector, national and local government, and he will bring a good understanding of our operating context, in particular from his time as CEO at CIPFA. I am delighted to welcome him to National Highways. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kathryn for her invaluable contribution since 2018. It has been a pleasure working with her. I am very grateful for what she has achieved whilst being on the Board.”
Rob Whiteman said: “I look forward to joining the Board of National Highways to help ensure its important objectives are achieved. Our roads and infrastructure play a vital role in people’s lives and supporting business and economic growth.”
(Picture – National Highways)
