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The ncat Team

The ncat consortium brings together expertise from the charity, industry, consultancy and research sectors to bridge the transport accessibility gap. The core ncat team is based at Coventry University.

See below to learn more about us.

Emma Partlow headshot

Emma Partlow

ncat CEO

Emma Partlow brings a powerful combination of deep industry expertise, policy insights, and lived experience, to dismantling systemic barriers while ensuring disabled people are central to decision-making through advocating for co-production.

View Emma's Biography
Stewart Birrell headshot

Stewart Birrell

Research Director

Stewart is a distinguished academic and Professor of Human Factors for Future Transport within the National Transport Design Centre (NTDC), additionally is Centre Director for Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University.

View Stewart's Biography
Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin headshot in front of large ncat logo and National Centre for Accessible Transport written on a poster behind her

Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin

Centre Manager

Cathryn joined ncat right at the start, and came to it with a strong background of working in project and programme management in the higher education sector as well as the creative industries. 

View Cathryn's Biography
Maddy Hughes headshot in front of post with half of ncat logo visible and Coventry University and Connected Places Catapult written underneath

Maddy Hughes

Operations and Communications Officer

Maddy joined as the Operations and Communications Officer for ncat in January 2024.

She brings extensive experience of quality assurance plus stakeholder and risk management across large, complex projects from her previous career in education. Her time working with teenagers honed her storytelling skills and ability to bring research to life.

View Maddy's Biography