The former Local Government Association chief executive Sir Brian Briscoe is head up the body advising government on the development of high-speed rail from next month.

Today, the Department for Transport said Briscoe would succeed Sir David Rowlands at High Speed 2 when he steps down next month. The body is advising government on high-speed rail services between London and Scotland. Briscoe has been a member of the HS2 board since last February.

Briscoe (below) has previously chief executive of the Local Government Association and chair of the Independent Transport Commissions for Cambridge and Reading. He also sits on the boards of tourist body Visit England and the Town and Country Planning Association.

Transport secretary Andrew Adonis said it was exciting time for Briscoe to take over.

“This is an exciting time to be involved in the development of high-speed rail in the UK. I am currently studying HS2’s report closely and will announce how we plan to take high speed rail forward by the end of March”

Briscoe said: “It is a privilege to be able to take forward this exciting challenge of high-speed rail for the UK and to help build on the excellent work of the team in HS2 so ably led over the past year by David Rowlands.”

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