Richard McGuckin, Deputy Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has been appointed Chair of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), the UK’s network representing city region and metropolitan transport authorities.
McGuckin, who is also Executive Director of Place at the Combined Authority and Director General of Merseytravel, succeeds Steve Warrener, Managing Director of Transport for Greater Manchester, following the conclusion of Warrener’s extended three-year term. McGuckin has served on the UTG Board since June 2022.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for urban transport, with city regions playing an increasingly central role in delivering integrated, sustainable and locally accountable transport systems. McGuckin leads Liverpool City Region’s most ambitious transport and infrastructure programme to date, overseeing a multi-billion-pound investment portfolio spanning rail, ferries, bus franchising and renewable energy.
His responsibilities include the expansion of the Merseyrail network, the operation of Mersey Ferries and the delivery of bus franchising across the city region. He is also spearheading Mersey Tidal, a landmark renewable energy project designed to generate clean power for the region for generations to come. Alongside his local role, McGuckin represents the Liverpool City Region nationally and internationally, sharing best practice and building strategic partnerships.
Commenting on his appointment, Richard McGuckin said transport sits at the heart of daily life, connecting people to jobs, education and services while driving economic growth and social opportunity.
“I’m passionate about shaping stronger, better connected and more resilient communities,” he said. “Working with colleagues across the UTG network, we will continue to champion transport systems that are inclusive, sustainable and future-focused, and that genuinely improve people’s lives.”
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, thanking Steve Warrener for his leadership and for strengthening collaboration across the UTG network during his tenure.
Alongside McGuckin’s appointment, Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director of Transport at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, has been named Vice-Chair of the UTG Board. She replaces Anne Shaw, former Executive Director at Transport for West Midlands, who left the role last year to become Chief Executive of Ireland’s National Transport Authority.
The Urban Transport Group Board comprises 10 directors, one from each of its principal member organisations, reflecting the breadth of devolved transport leadership across England’s city regions.
