Dnes leaves DfT for Stonehaven

Michael Dnes has left the Department for Transport to become head of transport policy global strategy, policy and advocacy consultancy Stonehaven.

Dnes brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in transport, including 15 years at the Department for Transport leading major projects such as future roads, rail reform, and HS2 ‘End State’ policy.

His most recent post was head of future roads technology, a role that saw him leading the government's policies on the legalisation of micromobility vehicles, including setting and implementing the new legal regime for e-scooters.

He also led development of road infrastructure to account for evolving technology, including creation of the National Parking Platform, investigating areas such as on-road connectivity and high-definition mapping, and considering long-term models for supporting non-physical infrastructure to enable future road use.

Between 2020-2023 he chaired an International Transport Forum study on autonomous vehicles and infrastructure adaptations. This included looking at Future Transport Zones and the trial use of drones.

Other highlights in his DfT career include defining the government's five-year Road Investment Strategy, negotiating a £27bn settlement that included the first dual carriageway across the Pennines since the 1970s, and developing a 30-year programme to replace concrete motorways with safe materials.

He was also involved with planning for Heathrow expansion proposals in the early 2000s.