Dr Natalie Pelham | CEO and Chief Investigator
Office of Transport Safety Investigations

Dr Natalie Pelham is a senior leader with over 20 years’ experience in the public sector leading significant policy, strategy and reform at the state and national levels. She is a highly qualified and effective senior executive who is results-oriented, and outcomes focused. Natalie has extensive experience in the public sector, especially in the design and delivery of policy frameworks and regulatory systems, initiation and conduct of reviews and implementation of reforms.

Natalie has strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills with strong evidence-based focus. She has extensive experience leading challenging projects involving solving multiple and conflicting issues while engaging with diverse stakeholders. Natalie is an organisational change agent with ability to harness resources, implement effective governance arrangements and establish new business operating models. She is a confident and effective leader in times of uncertainty and change.

Selected project experience:

• Developed the National Regulatory Model for the NHVR in consultation with jurisdictions that illustrates the risk-based approach for the regulation of the HV industry
• HV road charging reform worked with jurisdictions and the Commonwealth to develop a road user charging model for HVs
• Jurisdiction Steering Committee for the Heavy Vehicle National Law Review to further harmonise and streamline policy and legislative framework for HVs
• NSW Regional Maritime Infrastructure Plan - a 30-year strategy to prioritize investment in regional and coastal infrastructure
• Led development of the Connected and Automated Vehicle Plan and Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Plan to support the NSW Government’s 40-year vision for the future of transport
• On secondment to the Boston Consulting Group public sector practice advising on: governance arrangements for a public transport agency; a new intermediaries market within a large national disability agency; and a digital strategy for a large national welfare service delivery agency - a joint initiative of the Business Council of Australia and the NSW Public Service Commission. 
• Established the Smart Innovation Centre and negotiated the first automated vehicle trial partnership for NSW
• WestConnex Delivery Authority – design and implementation of organisation and governance structures to support effective delivery of the WestConnex Infrastructure Program including establishment and delivery of WestConnex Gateway system for project assurance
• Designed and implemented an innovative procurement and gateway assurance method that enabled earlier involvement of the private sector and better options for government to deliver the Circular Quay upgrade project
• National Rail and Heavy Vehicle Regulation schemes to harmonise legislative requirements, reduce duplication establishing a single regulator to oversee safety and productivity
• Transport Heritage NSW – design and implementation of a scheme to manage NSW rail heritage assets and support the NSW rail heritage sector