National Highways Company Profile

Background

National Highways is a government-owned company responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving England's motorways and major A roads, collectively known as the strategic road network (SRN). Established on 1 April 2015 under the Infrastructure Act 2015, the organization transitioned from the Highways Agency to Highways England, and later rebranded to National Highways in August 2021. The company's mission is to ensure that major roads are dependable, durable, and safe, thereby supporting economic growth and providing a reliable road network that reduces delays, creates jobs, and opens up new areas for development.

Key Strategic Focus

National Highways' strategic objectives include:

Safety and Serviceability: Ensuring that no one is harmed when traveling or working on the SRN.

Free-Flowing Network: Minimizing routine delays and enhancing journey reliability.

Accessibility and Integration: Facilitating safe and efficient movement across and alongside the road network.

Economic Growth Support: Investing in infrastructure to stimulate economic development.

Environmental Sustainability: Implementing measures that result in long-term environmental benefits.

The company is committed to delivering £15 billion of investment on the road network as outlined in the government's Road Investment Strategy, which includes £11 billion of capital funding committed between 2015 and 2020.

Financials and Funding

As a government-owned entity, National Highways is publicly funded. The company operates under five-year funding periods, known as Road Investment Strategies (RIS). The second RIS, covering 2020 to 2025, allocated £27 billion for network improvements.

Pipeline Development

National Highways is involved in several significant infrastructure projects, including:

Lower Thames Crossing: A planned road crossing of the Thames estuary designed to alleviate congestion at the Dartford Crossing. Approved in March 2025, construction is slated to begin in 2026, with completion expected by 2031.

Technological Platform and Innovation

National Highways leverages various technological platforms and innovations to enhance road network management:

National Traffic Information Service (NTIS): Operated by Sopra Steria, NTIS serves as the information hub for England's strategic road network, providing real-time traffic and incident information.

Innovation Competitions: The company runs targeted research and innovation competitions to address challenges such as hazard protection and carbon reduction. For instance, in July 2023, seven companies were shortlisted to develop ideas ranging from low-carbon fencing materials to recycling old concrete.

Leadership Team

Nick Harris: Appointed Chief Executive Officer in August 2021. Harris has a background in civil engineering and extensive experience in infrastructure management.

Gareth Rhys Williams: Serves as Chairman, bringing a wealth of experience in public sector governance.

Elliot Shaw: Chief Customer and Strategy Officer since January 2024, responsible for strategic development, business improvement, and customer service. Shaw's career includes roles at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Transport.

Leadership Changes

Recent appointments include:

Rob Whiteman: Appointed Non-Executive Director in January 2025. Whiteman has a background in the public sector, with extensive risk and audit experience.

Simon Wills: Appointed Non-Executive Director in February 2025. Wills has a background in the energy sector, having held various roles within British Gas and Centrica.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The UK's road network comprises approximately 262,300 miles of paved roads, with England's 4,300 miles of trunk roads accounting for 33% of all road travel and 50% of lorry travel.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors and collaborators in the sector include:

Amey plc: A UK-based infrastructure support service provider involved in highways and rail management. Amey has faced challenges, including overcharging National Highways for temporary works on a damaged bridge in Northamptonshire.

FM Conway: A civil engineering contractor specializing in highways and infrastructure work. The company became part of the Vinci group in early 2025.

Costain Ltd: A major contractor for National Highways, receiving £450 million in payments for the 2023/24 period.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

National Highways collaborates with various organizations to enhance its operations:

Department for Transport (DfT): As the company's shareholder, DfT provides strategic direction and funding.

Office of Rail and Road (ORR): Monitors and enforces the performance and efficiency of National Highways.

Transport Focus: Acts as a watchdog, promoting and protecting the interests of road users.

Supply Chain Partners: National Highways works with a network of suppliers, including major contractors like Costain Ltd and Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd, to deliver construction and maintenance work.

Operational Insights

National Highways faces challenges such as maintaining road quality and addressing public dissatisfaction due to issues like potholes. The company is investing £1.6 billion to repair up to seven million potholes, aiming for more effective long-term funding and planning to address the backlog and prevent future road degradation.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

National Highways is focusing on:

Net Zero Ambitions: Committed to achieving net-zero corporate carbon emissions by 2030, net-zero for maintenance and construction by 2040, and a net-zero road network, including road users, by 2050.

Fleet Electrification: Transitioning its operational fleet to zero-emission vehicles, with a target to have all cars meet zero-emission targets by 2027 and traffic officer vehicles by 2030.