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Organisational structure
Highways Agency Structure
The Highways Agency is managed by a board of Directors, which comprises the Chief Executive, three non-executive Directors and nine executive Directors. The executive Directors are each responsible for one business area within the Agency.
Download the HA Board Structure (PDF 62.6KB) or view as an image by clicking on the thumbnail:
The Agency is divided into eight business areas, called Directorates:
- Procurement
- Network Strategy
- Traffic Operations
- Major Projects
- Safety, Standards and Research
- Finance Services
- Human Resource Services
- Information Directorate
Procurement Directorate (PD)
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this directorate is responsible for determining procurement strategies to deliver best value across the whole range of the Highways Agency’s purchasing requirements. It has responsibility for the identification of the best suppliers to deliver the Agency’s needs and for maintaining supplier performance records. The regional procurement teams also provide the Agency’s tendering and contract letting service in support of the project teams.
Network Strategy (NS)
Network Strategy is the main focal point in the Agency for regional planning, liaising with Government Offices for the regions, regional development agencies (to support such initiatives as EU-funded regeneration schemes), and liaising with local authorities.
The main focus will be to:
- Develop a forward looking strategy for the network, concentrating on a 3 year + horizon.
- Liaise with DfT and Ministers on network strategy issues.
- Define the purpose of and the desired outcomes for individual routes on the network taking into account Regional Planning policy; and
- Provide the Agency focus at a national and regional level liaison with DfT, with Regional Planning Bodies, Regional Development Agencies and others.
Traffic Operations Directorate (TOD)
Traffic Operations Directorate has two major functions:
- Maintain and manage the asset of the strategic road network.
- Operate the network, including developing a new function of managing traffic.
Traffic Operations is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and management of the trunk road and motorway network. To enable this, Agents are employed across the country to deliver a programme of works on the road network to keep it in optimum condition. Traffic Operations is also working towards proactive management of traffic on the trunk road and motorway network. This will be achieved through a realignment of roles and responsibilities for traffic management between the Highways Agency and the Police, use of new and existing technology and holistic management of the whole network asset.
The directorate consists of 5 divisions, Policy and Development, Programme Delivery, Traffic Operations (South), Traffic Operations (Midlands & South West) and Traffic Operations (North). Traffic Operations is responsible for the development and successful delivery, to time, cost and quality of a portfolio of traffic information and technology projects, and strategic and operational reviews. Additionally it is responsible for national coordination of the Agency roadside technology programme.
To deliver this new and challenging role will require the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with all parts of the Agency, with DfT, and with key partners and stakeholders – particularly the police service and key suppliers.
Further information on the Traffic Oerations Directorate (PDF 58KB)
Major Projects Directorate (MPD)
Major Projects Directorate is responsible for the delivery of Major Schemes valued at more than £5 million. It's main functions are:
- Managing the Agency's land holdings, including acquisition of land and property, payment of appropriate compensation, management of acquired property (to maximise social benefits and value for money) and, where necessary, disposal of property and land.
- Developing and delivering projects and programmes that meet the strategy and the defined outcomes set by Network Services.
- Procuring services from contractors and consultants and delivering the Programme Of Major Schemes.
Safety Standards and Research (SSR) (includes the Environment Group)
Responsible for maintaining the Agency’s best business practice approach to trunk road management, operation, and design. It is responsible for the development and management of the Agency’s research and development strategy, to encourage innovation and the introduction of new ideas.
Finance Services (FS)
Responsible for the business and financial control in the Agency, for complying with the Government’s requirements for resource accounting and budgeting and for ensuring propriety and value for money in the Agency’s work. The directorate also provides the Agency’s computing systems and legal services.
Human Resource Services (HRS)
Responsible for developing policies and strategies to enable the Agency to secure and retain a motivated workforce, with the necessary competencies to provide an efficient service to its customers. It is also responsible for managing its estate and office services to meet the business needs of the Agency.
Information Directorate (ID)
ID is responsible for Information Technology projects and desktop IT systems across the Agency. It collects roads information to support Business decisions for internal use to support the Agency’s core role of Network Manager, and provides information direct to road users and the public through the National Traffic Control Centre (NTCC) and Highways Agency Information Line (HAIL).
