England's Economic Heartland

England's Economic Heartland is the sub-national transport body for the region stretching from Swindon across to Cambridgeshire and from Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire.

We advise the government on the transport infrastructure, services and policy framework which will realise our region's economic potential while supporting the journey to net zero.

Our work is informed by a comprehensive and growing evidence base, and overseen by our Strategic Transport Leadership Board, containing the elected leaders and portfolio holders of our local authority partners.

As one of seven sub‑national transport bodies, we are jointly funded by the Department for Transport and our local authority partners.

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Graphic showing role of EEH

work flow

Sub-national transport bodies

Sub-national transport bodies produce a transport strategy for their region and advise the government on investment priorities.

There are seven sub-national transport bodies covering the entirety of England outside of London.

There is a strong culture of collaboration between sub-national transport bodies, including joint working on the big strategic issues facing the country.

The inaugural sub-national transport body conference took place in 2022 and is returning on 5 June 2023 at the Vox in Birmingham.

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England's Economic Heartland leadership

​Cllr Richard Wenham

Chair, England's Economic Heartland

Leader, Central Bedfordshire Council

Cllr Liz Leffman

Vice-Chair, England's Economic Heartland

Leader, Oxfordshire County Council

England's Economic Heartland business unit:

  • Naomi Green: Managing Director
  • Fiona Foulkes: Business Manager
  • Suzanne Winkels: Technical Programme Manager
  • James Golding-Graham: Head of Decarbonisation and Innovation
  • Abi Nichols: Project Lead
  • Trevor Brennan: Project Lead
  • Helen Fallon: Freight Lead
  • James Gagg: Project Lead
  • Nathalie Mazhunga: Project Officer
  • Erin Pitcher: Business Operations Assistant
  • Hanane Elmaarouf: Business Operations Assistant
  • Adam King: External Affairs and Policy Manager

The business unit pictured with Chair Cllr Richard Wenham at the EEH conference, October 2022

EEH team with Chair Cllr Richard Wenham