The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed two new non-executive board members to provide independent oversight and expert challenge as the government moves forward with major rail and bus reforms.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced the appointments on 9 September 2026, confirming that the new members will play a key role in the department’s governance and its focus on national infrastructure investment. Non-executive board members are senior figures recruited from outside the civil service to provide independent advice and “constructive challenge” to government ministers.
Sir Charles Randell CBE has been named as the Lead Non-Executive Board Member. His three-year term is scheduled to begin in October 2026. Sir Charles brings significant regulatory experience to the role, having previously served as the Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Payment Systems Regulator. He also acted as a lead lawyer for HM Treasury during the 2008 financial crisis resolutions.
Harjit Sandhu has also joined the board as a Non-Executive Member and will chair the Group Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC). Mr Sandhu’s three-year term officially commenced on 1 September 2026.
Oversight of transport strategy
The new appointees will be tasked with scrutinising the department’s performance and advising on the delivery of a multi-billion pound transport programme. The DfT board oversees critical priorities, including the ongoing reform of the rail network and improvements to regional bus services across the country.
According to the department, both appointments were made following a fair and open competition conducted in accordance with the Cabinet Office governance code. Neither Sir Charles nor Mr Sandhu has declared any political activity.
Sir Charles Randell’s extensive professional background includes his time as a partner at the law firm Slaughter and May, where he specialised in corporate finance and work for sovereign entities. His appointment as Lead Non-Executive Member follows the departure of previous board members as part of the department’s standard governance cycle.
As the new Chair of ARAC, Mr Sandhu will be responsible for overseeing the department’s approach to risk management and internal controls, ensuring that taxpayer-funded projects are delivered with appropriate financial rigour.
