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DVSA has appointed Bridget Rosewell as non-executive chair
Volterra’s co-founder and senior adviser Bridget Rosewell OBE has been appointed as the first non-executive chair of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Bridget has a track record of advising public and private sector organisations on large-scale transformation. She’s been a commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission since its inception in October 2015, and is currently a non-executive director of Network Rail and Atom Bank. Bridget joins DVSA at a time when it is preparing to launch a new, 5-year strategy which will further improve road safety while providing customers with the best possible user experience and ensuring services offer value for money. Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: Bridget brings extensive experience of the transport and infrastructure industry and will be a great asset to DVSA. Her previous roles will be vital in supporting and driving forward DVSA during the implementation of its 5-year strategy. Bridget Rosewell said: DVSA’s important work affects everyone in the country. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping DVSA achieve its road safety objectives. Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA Chief Executive, said: I am delighted to welcome Bridget to the team at DVSA. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we set out on our 5-year journey to achieve our vision – safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer journeys for all. She has previously sat on the Boards of Ulster Bank, where she chaired the Risk Committee, the Britannia Building Society and the Department of Work and Pensions, chairing the audit committee in both cases.
Paul Ormerod to speak at Economic Research Council: buy tickets now!
Volterra’s Paul Ormerod to speak at the Economic Research Council on Monday 20th February 18.30 - 20.00. Paul will be discussing why so many economists are opposed to Brexit. Book your ticket here. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available for £15 each. Following a Financial Times survey in January that showed that nine times as many economists are opposed to Brexit as are in favour. Paul Ormerod explains why the thought processes of economists traps them in the past, and makes it difficult for them to appreciate the importance of change and innovation. He will expand on how Brexit opposition has intensified over the past year, despite the strong post-Brexit performance of the UK economy. The Economic Research Council, Britain's oldest economics-based think tank, is dedicated to extending the reach of economic education, debate and leadership. In support of this, the ERC raises the profile of economic conversations; we host events to cultivate wider accessibility, inclusion and civic participation.
Paul Ormerod: why are so few economists Brexiteers?
Leading Economist Paul Ormerod wrote an article for Prospect Magazine on 9th January asking why so few economists are Brexiteers... Groupthink culture in the economics profession led the Bank of England’s Chief Economist, Andy Haldane, to admit last week that economic forecasting is in crisis. You can read the full article here.
Volterra celebrates a successful year with staff promotions!
As Christmas and the end of 2016 approaches we have taken a moment to look back over the year and review our achievements, of which there are many. A few words from Partners Paul Buchanan and Ellie Evans: “2016 has been a record breaking year at Volterra. We have won work in Stockholm, Toronto and four projects in Sydney as well as growing our UK market. We continue to be involved in major Development projects (Battersea Power Station, Paddington Quarter and Ilona Rose House) and on exciting Transport projects (Crossrail 2, Hyperloop and the evaluation of Crossrail). Our team has grown and our staff are building skills and experience. The quality of our work is as high as ever.” We have delivered on over 60 projects. We have worked with 46 different clients, of which 21 were NEW to us this year. We have worked in more countries than ever before, including Australia, Canada and Stockholm. We are delighted to have promoted three members of staff. Alex O'Byrne and Sophie Beevers have been rewarded for all of their hard work and been promoted to Senior Consultants. In order to recognise Lucy Dean’s continued outstanding achievements she has been promoted to Associate. We would like to thank all of our clients for their support this year and we look forward to working together successfully in 2017!A very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Volterra.
Volterra’s Paul Buchanan and Lucy Dean hard at work ‘down under’!
Volterra Partner Paul Buchanan and Senior Consultant Lucy Dean have just returned from Sydney where they have been working with Transport for NSW on the business case for a light rail scheme. More on this in the New Year...
Bridget Rosewell to speak at ‘The infrastructure challenge post Brexit’ Conference…BOOK NOW!
Conference: The infrastructure challenge post Brexit – 24 January, 2017 – Westminster – Programme now out Post Brexit, there is an emerging policy direction that puts infrastructure investment in the centre of an activist fiscal policy and the re-invention of industrial strategy. This is all framed around delivering fairness and inclusion to heal the social division revealed by the Brexit vote. This raises a huge range of new questions for infrastructure policy makers, strategists and deliverers. The objective of this conference is to survey these policy questions, explore emerging economic analytical tools and evidence we have to inform them, and consider what new tools and evidence we need to develop to understand emerging risks and opportunities. Bridget Rosewell is the Keynote Speaker, followed by an impressive line-up of experts. The event promises to be a fascinating and much needed discussion - DON'T MISS OUT, BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW. For more details and booking go to http://www.neks.ltd/detailsconf. Early Bird discounts end 15th December.
Bridget Rosewell speaker at Highways UK 2016
Bridget Rosewell was a speaker at Highways UK 2016 annual conference on 16/17 November at the NEC in Birmingham, in her capacity as a judge of the Wolfson Economics Prize. The conference attracted 2,219 visitors to listen to the 109 speakers, in the three Industry briefing theatres, and to visit the 90 exhibitors. Highways UK is a major event for the people and organisations involved in the planning, operation and future-proofing of the UK's road network. You can read a review of the event HERE. Bridget spoke for the Keynote conversation: better ways to run better roads, along with Isabel Dedring (Global Transport Leader), and Julian Glover (Director for Arup). Bridget is keen to encourage a wide ranging approach to the problem of 21st century roads – from pricing electricity for cars to road access control and road system separation. Economists please note! Image: Vicki Sharp.
Bridget Rosewell discusses Heathrow runway decision and post-brexit data
Volterra's Senior Advisor and prolific Economist Bridget Rosewell was invited on to Radio 4's World Tonight on Tuesday 25th October to discuss the Government's decision to grant a third runway at Heathrow. The long awaited decision was an important moment in Theresa May's new government, after years of lobbying and indecision on the Heathrow and Gatwick extensions. The greenlight for Heathrow is the beginning of a year long consultation process, so there is still lots of work to be done. Bridget Rosewell from her unique position as a member of of the National Infrastructure Commission and Professor Tony Travers from LSE discuss the merits of this decision with Ritula Shah. You can listen to the discussion here (at 17.48) Image: Boeing 767 sunset takeoff by Paul Nelhams is licensed under CC by 2.0
