Jason Humm has been appointed to the new role of director of transport and highways at Gloucestershire County Council.

As a chartered civil engineer and fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Mr Humm is said to have a wealth of experience, good local knowledge and strong partnerships locally, regionally and nationally.

Gloucestershire County Council said he was the stand out candidate from a highly competitive recruitment process and he will take up the role in March next year.

The current salary of the post, as outlined in the job specification, is £96,414 to £106,650 per annum.

As well as being responsible for accelerating the council's multi-million pound transport and highways infrastructure programme and leadership of the operational maintenance of highways, the role will oversee the county's major infrastructure projects.

Working closely with councillors, Gloucestershire County Council said the immediate priority will be to develop and enhance the county's active and sustainable travel plans, to ensure the local authority reaches its carbon neutral ambitions.

Jason is currently head of Transport for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) where he is responsible for the development and delivery of the region's sustainable transport strategies and transport infrastructure programmes. In his time with WECA, Mr Humm is said to have secured millions of pounds of national investment and delivered key transport infrastructure programmes.

Before joining WECA, he was head of Highways and Transport at Swindon Borough Council, where his responsibilities included leading their highways maintenance operations and delivering major infrastructure, for example the M4 J16 and Bruce Street roundabout schemes.

Colin Chick, executive director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council said: "I am very pleased to welcome Jason to our team. He was, without doubt, the strongest candidate, with extensive experience of planning major infrastructure schemes, securing the funding needed to deliver them. Jason also has the necessary know how to delivery an effective and efficient highways services. I have no doubt he will be successful in delivering much improved connectivity for the county, alongside supporting the growth of the local economy and our natural environment."

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for Highways at Gloucestershire County Council said: "I am delighted with Jason's appointment; he knows the patch, has a strong track record of planning and delivering to a high standard - it is clear that his extensive experience and leadership ability is going to be a real asset. We have already had a great deal of success with attracting funding for and delivery of major infrastructure projects but there is still much more we want to do.

"Cllr Dom Morris has also recently been appointed as Cabinet Champion for Highways Customer Service so will be working alongside myself and Jason to deliver the best possible highways service for the county.

"I look forward to working with Jason to support businesses to be successful and to ensure the county continues to be a place where people want to live, work and visit."

Jason Humm said: "This is my ideal job. Gloucestershire is a fantastic county and one I know well, having worked for the county's highways service until 2016 and lived in the county for the last 20 years. 

"There's a great team at the county and with the continued commitment of the many highly skilled colleagues in the highways and transport service, we will make the most of all available resources and investment to deliver the best for communities right across the county - a challenge I know myself and the service are up for. I am really excited to get started."