Ex-TfL HS2 Lead Sponsor Michael Colella joins Steer Davies Gleave

Steer Davies Gleave is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Colella who joins us to develop our rail and transport business capabilities. He joins as an Associate Director based in their London Advisory team. 

Michael joins from Transport for London where he has worked on a number of high profile projects, predominantly in the rail sector. As a HS2 Lead Sponsor he was responsible for coordinating and leading TfL’s input into what will be Europe’s largest construction project, the new planned High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) linking London with Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and North England. By doing so, Michael has enabled changes which optimise its benefits and mitigate its impacts for London.

Prior to that, as a Crossrail Commercial Sponsor also for TfL and the Department for Transport, Michael played a key role in the development of the Crossrail business case, including the developing of the assessment tools for Wider Economic Impacts, as well as financing for the £14.5bn project including the development of innovative commercial strategies to reduce the costs for the new Crossrail train and depot procurement. 

Michael has over 20 years’ experience in the transport industry working on a range of commercial, economic, and planning issues. Over this time he has also been responsible for the development of TfL’s £8bn pa business plan including securing funding from the UK Government to operate and invest (£8bn turnover pa); and he has led the commercial negotiations for the transfer of London Overground from the UK Government to TfL control and securing Mayoral/TfL Board approval for the £1.4bn investment plan and concession procurement process.

Before TfL, Michael also worked at the UK Strategic Rail Authority, Stagecoach Plc and international transport consultancies on a range of business/financial assessments relating to UK rail franchises, light rail schemes and airport development plans around the world including Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Spain and the USA.

At Steer Davies Gleave he will support the Rail team in working in areas such as P-Rep roles, major schemes and devolution, creating bespoke solutions for clients in the UK but also in the US, as Michael has a dual nationality. 

Jim Richards, Head of Advisory at Steer Davies Gleave said “Michael has a wealth of experience in the rail industry and has gained credibility with senior figures. His strategic and commercial insight to complex projects such as Crossrail and HS2 will be of great value to enhance the team’s existing capabilities and skills.”