Conference speakers
Neil Barlow, Head of Policy, DVSA
Neil has background in road safety and policy. He started his career with the Transport Research Laboratory, and worked in central DfT and the Vehicle Certification Agency. He has been with DVSA and its predecessors since 1996, working in policy, operational development and digital roles. He led DVSA’s digital transformation and modernisation of DVSA’s MOT services. His current role is Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering – which works across a number of key DVSA services – MOT, commercial vehicle testing, vehicle approvals, enforcement, recalls and market surveillance. Neil takes a keen interest in all of those services – ensuring that we continue to improve them to best meet road safety and environmental goals – but with a strong focus on the users of our services. Neil is also heavily involved in looking forward on vehicle technology – in particular around automated vehicles, and supporting DfT’s work in legislating in this area.
Nick Elliott MIRTE MSOE MiCLT, Specialist Transport Consultant and Chairman of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers Professional Sector Council
He began a HGV Technician apprenticeship in the late 1970’s after which he chose to move into management. He mapped his career from midway through his apprenticeship to achieve his goal of a senior position. Throughout his development he sought to work steadily through several roles gaining valuable experience and continuing his learning and development.
After his apprenticeship and a couple of years working as HGV Technician, he changed jobs and become a Fleet Engineering Technician – his first role off the shop floor. Then a Transport Distribution coordinator, Transport Manager, specific product line National Transport Manager and ultimately National Transport Manager all products.
Nick has spent a working lifetime interacting with teams at all levels of businesses. Passionate and tireless with industry associations Mineral Product Association “MPA” Institute of Road Transport Engineers “IRTE” delivering effective engineering and operational change for the whole industry. People development in all areas was key to Nick’s philosophy, driving best practice in safety and helping people to get the best for themselves and the organisation.
Choosing to step down and retire in 2020 he continued his passion for road transport engineering. He is a volunteer for the SOE and continues to play a key role in the IRTE as Sector Council Chair. Due to his position in the industry a few organisations have asked Nick to support change within their businesses and with Nick’s help they continue to improve.
Owen Jenkins, Engineering Manager, BPW
Owen has been the Engineering Manager at BPW Ltd since 2022 having spent most of his career in automotive and powertrain development and delivery.
He is a Chartered Engineer with over 25 years' experience in roles ranging from leading edge product engineering and validation to large scale technical programme management.
As Head of Engineering for BPW in the UK, he is responsible for the technical product and technical support teams as well as new product introduction.
Phil Lloyd, Head of Engineering Policy, Logistics UK
Phil has been the Logistics UK’s Head of Engineering Policy, taking up the role in June 2018, having spent most of his career working for the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). He served his apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Engineering in Manchester and joined what is now DVSA as a vehicle examiner, spending over 30 years with them in a wide range of operational roles, including Auditing, Training and vehicle certification. For the last 13 of his years with DVSA Phil held a variety of senior management positions including; Head of Operations, Head of Policy, Head of Strategy & Planning and Head of Transformation, over that time leading the implementation of their Testing Transformation project, developing their Roadside Enforcement Strategy. Before joining the Logistics UK Phil was a self-employed contractor, providing technical training for MOT testers and consultancy to the Authorised Testing Facilities Operators Association (ATFOA); designing and developing a testing solutions strategy, which was supported by the Logistics UK as well as the other main Transport Trade Associations.
Richard Owens, Technical Support Specialist and Marketing Manager, Don-Bur
Richard joined Don-Bur in 2003 and manages marketing across the group, intellectual property rights, CSR reporting and manages some key accounts. He is also involved with new innovations and regulation changes and supports the sales function where necessary.
Richard has a extensive background knowledge of coding, software and graphics and is often responsible for the in-house production of visuals, 3D graphics and video. He also manages the 4 websites across the group.
Kevin Rooney, Traffic Commissioner for the West of England
Kevin graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Automotive Engineering. He joined the Department for Transport’s graduate engineer program and worked in all vehicle-related parts of the Department and its agencies before being appointed Traffic Commissioner in January 2012, firstly in the North East and then Western Traffic Areas. In March, it was announced that Secretary of State Heidi Alexander has appointed him to take over as Senior Traffic Commissioner with effect from 1 June 2025.
Kevin spent his early career in what was then VOSA in both policy and operational roles on light and heavy vehicle testing. He became head of Traffic Enforcement Policy in 1999 and joined the VOSA Board in 2006, with dual responsibilities leading the transformation of roadside enforcement practices through technology along with representing customer interests.
He leads for Traffic Commissioners on engineering and enforcement matters. He has worked closely with all sides of the commercial vehicle industry both in agreeing the content of DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and on development of the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme.
Dave Wood, Head of Autonomous Vehicle Policiy, DVSA
Dave Wood brings a wealth of experience in motor vehicle engineering and training to his role as the Head of Autonomous Vehicle Policy at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). His career with the DVSA began in 2001, when he joined the then Vehicle Inspectorate as an enforcement vehicle examiner.
Over the next decade, Dave advanced to the position of Senior Vehicle Examiner, where he managed a team of enforcement examiners across Staffordshire, Shropshire, and the West Midlands. In 2013, he transitioned to the enforcement policy team as the Roadworthiness Enforcement Policy Manager. This role included responsibility for roadworthiness enforcement policy, the categorisation of defects manual and the guide to maintaining roadworthiness.
In January 2023, Dave took on the challenge of setting up and leading the Connected and Automated Mobility Services (CAMS) project for DVSA. This initiative aimed to support the development of self-driving vehicles and to adapt DVSA's services to accommodate automated vehicles and the new regulatory framework. The CAMS project has since transitioned into a business-as-usual operation, with an established team.
Dave's successful leadership of the CAMS project led to his current role as the Head of Autonomous Vehicle Policy at DVSA, where he continues to drive innovation and regulatory adaptation in the field of automated vehicles.
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