Jonathan Murray has been appointed Managing Director of road transport not-for-profit organisation Zemo Partnership.
Under Murray’s leadership, Zemo will take forward a range of initiatives and programmes, in partnership with members.
Key priorities are to:
- support the decarbonisation of all road transport modes through locally tailored solutions that stimulate economic growth, attract investment and support regional regeneration;
- develop an achievable, industry-led roadmap for decarbonising all road transport sectors;
- shape policies that deliver a faster, more inclusive transition to electric vehicles;
- deliver the Moving to Zero (Symud I Sero) programme, which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of commercial vehicle operations in Wales;
- expand the role of high-blend sustainable fuels in road transport and extend Zemo’s sustainable business activity into aviation, heat, power and marine, with certification to verify feedstock sustainability, supply chain traceability and greenhouse gas emissions performance.
Murray’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the transition to net zero transport, with the Climate Change Committee’s latest progress report highlighting the need to accelerate decarbonisation across the sector. It also notes that although electric vehicle adoption continues to grow strongly, surface transport emissions increased slightly in 2025.
As responsibility for transport policy increasingly shifts to combined authorities, the need for practical, place-based decarbonisation strategies and policy solutions is becoming ever more important.
The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to giving more power to local areas, reinforcing the growing role that regional and local decision-makers will play in delivering the transition to net zero transport.
Commenting on Jonathan Murray’s appointment, Philip Sellwood CBE, Chair of Zemo Partnership’s Board, said:
“Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to his new role and a strong track record of working productively with private-sector organisations to decarbonise road transport.
“He takes the reins at an exciting moment for Zemo Partnership as we develop relationships with a UK Government under new leadership, the devolved nations and regional decision-makers.”
Jonathan Murray, who is a member of Transport + Energy‘s editorial board, said:
“When I began working in transport decarbonisation, modern electric vehicles were still in their infancy — there were only a handful of quirky prototypes on our roads. Now battery electric cars are in the mainstream; about a third of new cars sold in recent months are electric.
“But the message from the Climate Change Committee couldn’t be clearer. There are still significant challenges to overcome. We need to see a just transition that works across all road transport modes and uses all technological pathways. I look forward to working with Zemo Partnership colleagues, members and stakeholders to tackle these challenges and break down remaining barriers, working in partnership to complete this historic mission.”
Image courtesy of Zemo Partnership
