Leon Daniels to leave TfL by year's end

Leon Daniels, head of TfL’s surface transport, is leaving his role towards the end of this year, it has been confirmed.

Daniels, who has held the role for seven years, is responsible for TfL’s bus and tram services and has also played an integral role in the development of the capital as a cycling city.

He also oversees the regulation of taxis and private hire operators, which has laid him open to criticism that his decision to licence Uber has contributed to further congestion in the city.

Announcing his departure Mike Brown, London's transport commissioner, said Daniels “has made a very significant contribution to TfL and London and has done this critical job for longer than any of his predecessors. Our progress under his leadership has been considerable.

"This includes building a bus service that is the envy of all world cities, laying firm foundations for radical change in walking and cycling and helping focus us on improving road safety and air quality to help secure our city's future.”

He added: “Leon led our surface teams through the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games and, as head of our resilience functions, has provided leadership and support at difficult times. I am very grateful for the advice and support he has given me, and we will all be wishing him the very best for the future.'

Daniels' departure comes as London mayor Sadiq Khan continues to drive through a programme of cuts at TfL, after pledging earlier this year to trim a "flabby" organisation, partly through reducing management layers with a senior management exit programme.

This summer Daniels, along with his boss Mike Brown, proposed to TfL’s remuneration committee of the TfL board that it would be inappropriate to be considered for any performance-related pay, after the Croydon tram derailment in which seven people died and 51 were injured.

As MD of surface transport, Daniels is TfL’s fourth highest-paid official, earning £343,145 last year.

A spokesman said Daniels was not departing under the senior management exit programme. Asked if there will be a direct replacement for Daniels as TfL spokesman said: “We have no further comment.”

Last October, Ian Wainwright TfL's head of freight stepped down from his role as the organisation moved away from a separate freight function, incorporating it into its day to day operations instead.