Preparations for the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham are now entering the next stage, with new leadership support in place to bring together the organisations, workstreams and partners involved in delivering the major international event.
Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 25–29 October 2027, the Congress is expected to bring 15,000 people to the city. It will provide a major opportunity to showcase the UK’s transport technology expertise, innovation and ambition to a global audience. It will be the first time the UK has hosted the major annual event since London in 2006.
To support the next stage of the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham, transport industry leader Jo Field OBE and her consultancy, JFG Communications, have been appointed to a key leadership and coordination role supporting the UK’s preparations for the Congress.
JFG Communications will undertake a new Silver Command function on behalf of the Host Organising Committee. The role will provide programme-wide leadership, helping to connect organisations and workstreams, strengthen coordination and address issues that cut across the Congress.
For Birmingham, this additional coordination will support the many public- and private-sector partners working together to deliver a successful global event. The new function will work alongside the existing Bronze Command team at the West Midlands Combined Authority, which continues to lead the region’s formal host responsibilities and its partnership with Congress organiser ERTICO – ITS Europe.
The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) will also provide enhanced support through a dedicated Silver Project Office, working closely with JFG Communications, WMCA and the wider coalition of public- and private-sector partners supporting the Congress.
Jo Field brings extensive experience in transport, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications. She is a board member of ITS UK and Chair of Women in Transport, and was appointed an OBE in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours for services to diversity and inclusion in transport.
As delivery gathers pace, Jo and the JFG Communications team will work with stakeholders, workstream leads and partners to strengthen coordination and support the successful delivery of the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham.
“Bringing the ITS World Congress to Birmingham is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the UK’s transport technology expertise, innovation and ambition to a global audience,” said Jo Field OBE.
“Delivering a world-class Congress will depend upon close collaboration across government, industry, academia and the wider transport community. Our role will be to bring people together, connect expertise, strengthen coordination and help partners turn ambitious plans into successful delivery.”
Mike Waters, Chief Technology and Insight Officer at Transport for West Midlands, added: “Bringing in Jo Field and JFG Communications as Silver Command gives us the experience and sharp coordination required to align our public- and private-sector partners.”
As the ITS World Congress Birmingham 2027 moves from planning to delivery, the new Silver Command function will strengthen coordination among the teams and partners delivering the ITS World Congress in the West Midlands.
