Howard Smith is currently Director of London’s brand new Elizabeth line. He studied at the London School of Economics before working in operational railway roles in London. He was involved in planning and operating international rail services through the UK-France Channel Tunnel before joining Transport for London. There, he has lead the significant expansion of light rail, the creation of the orbital London Overground service, the delivery of the Emirates Airline – London’s first cable car, and was one the transport leaders for the London 2012 Olympic Games. From 2013 he was Chief Operating Officer of the Crossrail Project which was renamed the Elizabeth line ahead of its royal opening in May 2022.