Joanna White

Jo has been breaking down barriers in the world of STEM since school. After being the only girl in her school to take Further Mathematics at A-level, she completed a degree in Applied Mathematics at Oxford University, and a PhD in Mathematics. Jo started her career working for TRL working as a researcher.

Since joining National Highways in 2005, she has led projects including the M42 Active Traffic Management Monitoring programme. Jo established the ITS Radar service and led the development of the business’ Traffic Technology Strategy and programme, and the National Operational Systems team. In 2014 she led the Intelligent Transport Systems Group, developed the Innovation Designated Fund proposal and programme for the first roads period.

Outside of her work at National Highways, Jo is Chair of Bristol University’s Department of Engineering Mathematics Industrial Advisory Group and a Trustee of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. She is a member of the RoadSafe Traffic Technology Think Tank and the Expert Advisory Panel for the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).

In February 2020, Jo became a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology. This has been an excellent foundation for her to step up, in February 2021, to lead the company’s Roads Development Division on an interim basis, made permanent in October 2022. She heads up a division focused on research, innovation, intelligent transport systems, energy and road design.