Paul Speirs

Director with extensive global experience in transport strategy, transport planning, traffic engineering, and transportation demand modelling. Proven history in leading and implementing comprehensive transport planning strategies for large-scale urban and infrastructure projects, aligning with masterplans and visionary developments, and also scenario management to aid prioritisation against investment and phasing objectives. 

Highlights include, six continuous years (through 3 separate contracts) leading the technical delivery of the NEOM strategic demand model, upgrading the KSA national model with the ability to assess 100+ 2030 Vision scenarios, and creating a Policy Insights Tool blueprint for the UK’s largest transport authority outside London. 

Skilled in data analysis, feasibility studies, and stakeholder consultation to inform planning decisions. 

Expert in integrating transport planning with urban design, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development. Power user of demand modelling for new cities including new and emerging modes. 

Aux-fait with operational logistics planning. Multi-faceted experience of innovative modelling approaches and mobility market trends. 

Adept at overseeing transport modelling, capacity analysis, and safety assessments to ensure optimal traffic flow and efficiency. 

Excellent communicator and storyteller, professional public speaker, experienced in preparing detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for diverse technical and lay audiences. 

Ability to extract strategic thinking, influence and collaboration through coaching, mentoring and applied improvisation techniques. Committed to sustainability and innovative transport solutions. 

Experienced in mentoring and managing teams, nurturing junior talent, and fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment.

Professional Summary: Paul Speirs

Paul Speirs is a highly accomplished Director in transport strategy and planning, with extensive global experience spanning over three decades. Currently leading Old Chase Consulting in the United Kingdom, Paul Speirs has built a reputation for delivering innovative, sustainable, and practical transport solutions for complex urban and infrastructure projects worldwide. 

Expertise and Approach

With a background in transportation planning, Paul Speirs specialises in transport strategy, transport planning, traffic engineering, and transportation demand modelling. His expertise lies in developing and implementing comprehensive transport planning strategies that align with masterplans and visionary developments, ensuring that projects are both forward-thinking and grounded in robust scenario management. This approach enables effective prioritisation of investments and phasing objectives, supporting clients in making informed decisions about infrastructure and mobility. 

Paul Speirs is recognised for his ability to integrate transport planning with urban design, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development. His skill set includes advanced data analysis, feasibility studies, and stakeholder consultation, which inform planning decisions and drive project success. As a power user of demand modelling for new cities and emerging modes, Paul Speirs brings multi-faceted experience in innovative modelling approaches and mobility market trends, including operational logistics planning and capacity analysis. 

Leadership and Communication

A natural leader, Paul Speirs excels at overseeing transport modelling, capacity analysis, and safety assessments to ensure optimal traffic flow and efficiency. His communication skills are exceptional, with a proven ability to prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for both technical and lay audiences. As a professional public speaker and storyteller, Paul Speirs is adept at extracting strategic thinking, influencing collaboration, and coaching teams through applied improvisation techniques. His commitment to sustainability and innovative transport solutions is evident in every aspect of his work. 

Career Highlights

Old Chase Consulting (2021 – Present)

As Director of Old Chase Consulting, Paul Speirs oversees transportation modelling and planning projects, emphasising global methodologies and simplifying transport model applications to enhance decision support systems. He drives proof-of-concept initiatives and troubleshoots across new mobility domains, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth project delivery. His responsibilities include leading the development and implementation of transport planning strategies for global projects, conducting comprehensive data analysis and feasibility studies, and engaging stakeholders to inform planning decisions. Paul Speirs is also a lead facilitator, coach, and mentor, serving mega project teams, municipalities, and professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds. 

NEOM Strategic Demand Model, Saudi Arabia (2019 – 2025)

As the Senior Technical Lead for the NEOM Strategic Demand Model, Paul Speirs oversaw the evolution and development of a pioneering transport demand model for NEOM, a car-free, carbon-free city in Saudi Arabia. His work included integrating multi-modal transport demand systems, scenario testing, and continuous model evolution to meet stakeholder needs. Paul Speirs championed innovative and sustainable mobility solutions, such as eVTOL, autonomous vehicles, ride share, and electric vehicles, aligning with NEOM’s masterplan and operational requirements. He led stakeholder engagement, compliance with regulatory standards, and the development of public transport and on-demand transit within the tour-based demand model. His leadership ensured the growth of the model delivery team and the adoption of best modelling practices.

On-Demand Transit in Singapore (2022 – 2023)

As a modelling advisor for Jacobs, Paul Speirs supported an on-demand transit study in Singapore, collaborating with a global OEM client to explore innovative mobility solutions for campus operations. His role involved conducting research, developing strategic recommendations, and facilitating stakeholder discussions to align project objectives with client needs. 

National Strategic Transport Model Upgrade, Saudi Arabia (2022 – 2023)

Paul Speirs managed passenger and freight demand modelling elements for the KSA National Strategic Transport Model upgrade, conducting gap-analysis reviews, setting out upgrade requirements, and directing enhancements to mode choice functionality. His work delivered a final model capable of assessing over 100 use cases to support the KSA 2030 Vision.

Policy Modelling, Transport for the West Midlands, UK (2021 – 2022)

As Strategic Modelling Advisor, Paul Speirs assessed modelling solution needs across seven local authorities, guiding the scoping of a person-centric, fit-for-purpose transport planning and modelling approach. His work resulted in the creation of a unique Policy Insights Tool for transport policy planning. 

PTV Group (2014 – 2021)

In his role as Director of Global Pre-Sales and Professional Services at PTV Group, Paul Speirs directed global teams delivering transport planning solutions, championed client engagement, and led training and mentoring programs. His work included tracking mobility trends, delivering niche project applications, proof-of-concept development, and setting high standards of professional growth. 

Additional International Projects

Paul Speirs has contributed to a wide range of international projects, including shared mobility impact studies in Sweden, greenhouse gas impact mapping for Canada Post, real-time modelling for the EU Socrates project in Amsterdam, dynamic modelling proofs-of-concept in the Middle East, and major city transport initiatives in Oslo, Tokyo, and Dubai. His expertise in modelling, scenario analysis, and strategic advisory has influenced city planning, transit strategies, and sustainability initiatives across continents.

Early Career

Earlier in his career, Paul Speirs developed, grew and nurtured the transport modelling discipline at WSP, pioneered the UK’s first 4-step demand model compliant with new Department for Transport methods, and led micro-simulation revolutions at WS Atkins, notably for Heathrow Airport. His foundational experience includes developing city and town transport models for Surrey County Council. 

IMPROV Inc. (2023 – Present)

As Director of IMPROV Inc., Paul Speirs delivers professional public speaking coaching to business owners and the corporate sector, using applied improvisation to strengthen collaboration, creativity, communication, and confidence. He is an award-winning keynote speaker in the transport industry and beyond.

Education & Professional Development

• B.Eng (Hons) Civil & Transportation Engineering, Edinburgh Napier University (1989–1994)
• Multi-award-winning professional and keynote speaker

Skills

• Transport Planning Strategies
• Decision Support Systems
• Transportation Demand Modelling
• Project Management & Team Leadership
• Future Mobility Strategy
• Urban Design & Sustainability Integration
• Data Analysis & Feasibility Studies
• Transport Policy Development
• Capacity Analysis & Safety Assessments
• Public Transport Planning
• Development Phasing & Activation
• EV, AV, Ride Share Modelling
• Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Innovative Mobility Solutions
• Report Writing & Presentation Skills
• Team Nurturing & Collaboration Coaching
• Professional Keynote Speaking
• Business Mentoring & Coaching

B.Eng (Hons) Civil & Transportation Engineering, Edinburgh Napier University (1989-1994) 

Multi-award winning professional and keynote speaker