Barnsley Council has confirmed the appointment of Nazneen Malik as its new head of highways. Malik joins from Leeds City Council, where she spent the last 20 years in a succession of engineering and management roles. She will succeed Andrew Tatt, who has been acting as interim head of highways since March.
Experienced recruit to oversee local roads and infrastructure
Malik’s move brings a senior officer with long experience of traffic engineering and highways operations into Barnsley’s transport directorate at a time when councils are under sustained pressure to maintain road networks while balancing budgets and climate priorities. Her previous posts at Leeds City Council included roles as a traffic engineer, group engineer, principal engineer and most recently operations manager.
“After 20 years at Leeds City Council, I've decided to take on a new challenge. I'm thrilled to announce that I'm joining Barnsley Council as Head of Highways... I want to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone at Leeds City Council... I leave with nothing but gratitude and many fond memories.”
In public comments shared on her move, Malik said she was “eager to work” with colleagues in Barnsley and intended to draw on two decades of experience while “leading the highways team during an exciting time for the borough”. Barnsley Council has been approached for further comment on the appointment and any immediate priorities she will take on.
What this means for Barnsley residents
Highways leadership shapes how local roads are maintained, how potholes and safety issues are prioritised and how longer-term projects such as drainage, footways and cycling infrastructure are planned. Residents and councillors will look to the new head of highways to provide stability following the interim period under Andrew Tatt and to set out a clear programme for delivery.
- Who: Nazneen Malik
- From: Leeds City Council (operations manager)
- Replacing: Andrew Tatt (interim since March)
- Experience: 20 years in traffic and highways roles
Background — career at a glance
| Organisation | Roles (summary) |
|---|---|
| Leeds City Council | Traffic engineer; group engineer; principal engineer; operations manager |
Councils across the region have faced rising maintenance backlogs on roads and a need to prioritise limited funds. Appointing an experienced highways chief is a tactical move that signals Barnsley Council’s intent to stabilise operational leadership. Local campaigners will expect clarity on immediate pothole programmes, planned capital works and how highways teams will contribute to broader transport and climate goals.
Further details on Malik’s start date, her immediate priorities and any structural changes within the highways service are awaited from the council. In the meantime, residents with urgent highways concerns should continue to use Barnsley Council’s established reporting channels for faults and repairs.
