Michèle Dix

Dix gained a degree in civil engineering from the University of Leeds before studying for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in transport and land use planning at the university's Institute for Transport Studies which she was awarded in 1982.[1][2] She worked for the Greater London Council for six years as a traffic planner developing traffic policies and planning new road schemes.[1][3] She became a chartered engineer through the council's graduate development scheme.[3]

Dix subsequently joined engineering consultancy Halcrow Fox and became their board director for urban transport planning.[2] She is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.[4]

After 15 years at Halcrow, Dix joined Transport for London in 2000 as co-director of congestion charging, in which role she was responsible for development of the London Low Emission Zone.[2][3] She was promoted to managing director of planning in 2007 with responsibilities for planning the future transport needs of London, coordinating local plans and developing major transportation schemes.[3]

On 5 February 2015 she was made managing director of Crossrail 2, a proposed £27 billion high-capacity rail line to connect Surrey and Hertfordshire with London and provide additional capacity to the rail network.[3][2][5]

Dix was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to transport in London.[1] She was described as "the best transport planner in Britain" by Sir Peter Hendy and was named as one of the Top 50 Influential Women in Engineering in 2016.[4][5] Dix has stated that when she retires she would like to "run a tea room – baking cakes and serving teas".[2]