WMCA chief among Queen 's New Year 's awards
Laura Shoaf, now chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has been recognised in the Queen 's New Year 's Honours for services to the economic generation of the region.
The former managing director of Transport for the West Midlands, receives the CBE, recognising her contribution for over 20 years to transport services and economic generation.
Growing up in New Jersey in the United States of America, Laura (pictured) first moved to the UK in 2002 and began her career as a principal consultant at GVA Grimley, a real estate consultancy.
From there she joined the Black Country Consortium as head of strategic planning, and then as director of transport. In 2016 she joined Transport for West Midlands as managing director and last year was appointed chief executive for the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Laura is a recognised expert in transport and regeneration policy, chairing the Urban Transport Group and securing unprecedented investment in transport in the West Midlands. She is also on the board of trustees for Cure Leukaemia and the Severn Valley Railway charitable trust.
Laura said: “I was absolutely delighted when I received the letter from the Palace. It is such an honour to be recognised for the work that I and so many others have done in the West Midlands, which has been my home for over 20 years.
“This honour isn 't just about me. It recognises the hard work of the many talented, dedicated, and tenacious people I have worked with over the years. I accept this honour on their behalf as well.
“I have been fortunate to work with amazing people in my career, and it is only because of them that I am being recognised.
“The passion of my colleagues is what has helped drive the investment in transport systems and regeneration in the West Midlands, connecting people to jobs, to schools, and universities, to their families and connecting communities to each other. I am so proud of the work we have all done, and continue to do, to make the West Midlands a better-connected region. ”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said, “Laura is so deserving of this very prestigious honour. Through her leadership the West Midlands has seen huge levels of development and investment in transport, which has supported the economic regeneration of the region.
“Only last month we secured over £1 billion of Government investment in our transport networks which will be spent on projects across the region, ensuring as many people as possible can access reliable public transport for a greener future.
“This honour recognises the hard work of Laura and the huge successes we have seen in transport and regeneration, right across the West Midlands. ”
Douglas Oakervee, who conducted a review of HS2, has been awarded a knighthood for services to transport and infrastructure delivery.
Although he has enjoyed a lengthy career in civil engineering, he has become known to the wider public in recent years for his work on HS2.
Sir Douglas chaired HS2 for two years and was then appointed in summer 2019 by Boris Johnson to lead an independent review panel looking into all aspects of the high-speed rail project.
His report, published the following February, recommended that the project should go ahead but aspects of it would have to be reviewed to ensure it was delivering the best value for money.
Other West Midlands-based recipients included Narinder Dhandwar, business relationship manager with Barclays, who has received an MBE for services to the business and financial sectors in the West Midlands during covid-19.
He said: "I love working with my customers and being part of the West Midlands and Warwickshire team so I am absolutely delighted and very humbled to receive this award.
"Providing the right level of support throughout the pandemic has been vital for many businesses and I am hopeful that 2022 will be a better year for all."
Andrew Lovett, who chairs the Association of |Independent Museums and is chief executive of the Black Country Living Museum, received the OBE for services to cultural heritage, particularly during Covid 19.
Birmingham Opera's music director Alpesh Chauhan has received an OBE for services to the arts.
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Across the West Midlands there are many outstanding individuals and groups going above and beyond in their contribution to their field.
“It is fantastic to see some of them represented in the New Year 's honours list - congratulations and thankyou to each of them for the difference they make. ”