Sir John Peace chairs Midlands Connect and the Midlands Engine. He has a long and distinguished business career at the highest levels covering the technology, financial services and retail sectors. He is a Founder, former Chairman and Chief Executive of Experian plc, former Chief Executive of GUS Plc, former Chairman of Standard Chartered plc and until July 2018 was Chairman of Burberry plc. He was knighted in 2011 for services to the business and voluntary sector, and has been Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire since 2012.

Maria has been instrumental in the success and development of Midlands Connect since helping to set up the partnership in 2014. Maria has also worked as Director of the Midlands Engine and managed the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority’s input into the HS2 Hybrid Bill.

Paul leads the external affairs team at Midlands Connect, having spent a number of years working for business group the CBI and as a strategic adviser and press officer for the Liberal Democrats.

Alongside his role as Director of Policy and Infrastructure at East Midlands Councils, Andrew provides strategic advice on Midlands Connect’s policy direction and approach to our long term role as a Sub-national Transport Body.

Rachel manages and implements Midlands Connect's corporate, strategic and operational plans.  Her team provides assurance to the partnership and the Department for Transport (DfT) that our Governance and Programme are both efficient and effective. 

Richard Bradley heads up Midlands Connect’s Strategy Team. With a broad background in most aspects of transport planning and engineering, the last few years has been a period of re-defining the role of transport planning to the more holistic planning of infrastructure for transport, digital and alternative fuels.