David Brown has 20 years’ experience in commercial, operational and business management positions in the rail industry.
He joined South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) in September 2000 and was promoted to the position of Passenger Services Director on 1 April 2002. In that role he was responsible for strategic planning, the integration of transport modes, the delivery of the capital programme and all operational and customer information services.
David was successfully appointed as the new Director General of SYPTE on
1 April 2008. David has a degree in geography, is a member of the IOD and has a diploma in Company Direction from the IOD.
After studying languages and business studies, Laura worked in the private, public and voluntary sectors, specialising in economic development and regeneration. She has also acted as an adviser to ministers on community based regeneration.
Laura is currently Chief Executive of Zest, a leading Development Trust. Zest employs 80 staff, manages a range of activities, including a trailblazing Healthy Living Centre and delivers a number of public service contracts. Laura is committed to ensuring a vibrant third sector in the city and has played a lead role in the development of a number of consortia; she is a director of Sheffield Wellbeing Consortium Ltd and Prosper Consortium Ltd and Zest is the lead body for the Children and Young People’s Consortium. Laura is also a Board Member of Yorkshire Forward and the regional Learning and Skills Council
Laura has an MBA and an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. She lives in Upperthorpe with her partner and two sons.