Danielle McGrellis is a Chartered Engineer and accomplished digital and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering innovative, data‑driven and human‑centred solutions across transport, energy and the built environment. Known for her energy, critical thinking and collaborative approach, she operates at the forefront of intelligent mobility and digital transformation—bringing technical depth together with a passion for societal impact.

Her career began in structural engineering, where she delivered complex, multidisciplinary projects that strengthened her analytical rigour and ability to coordinate systems at scale. She later transitioned into advanced technology and intelligent mobility, leading major components of the UK Autodrive programme—one of the UK’s flagship connected and autonomous vehicle trials. Working across government, academia and industry, Danielle helped prepare UK cities for autonomous vehicle integration, significantly advancing national readiness for emerging ITS technologies.

As her career evolved, Danielle became deeply involved in shaping the digital and data capabilities underpinning modern transport systems. In her work with National Highways, she helped mature and embed data science capability across the organisation. She supported strategic pipeline development, guided agile delivery structures, enabled capability augmentation and helped establish mechanisms for cross‑authority collaboration through the national Data Science Expert Panel. She also conceived and drove the highly regarded Dig Data social value initiative, inspiring a new generation into digital and data roles across the highways and ITS ecosystem.

Danielle’s leadership extends across multiple national‑level digital programmes. She developed the National Energy Outages Platform, giving government real‑time situational awareness during emergency events, and designed and delivered National Grid ESO’s Data Science Fellowship Programme, embedding data‑driven capability to support the UK’s net‑zero transition. Her work demonstrates consistent strength in stakeholder management, AI and data integration, agile delivery, and the translation of complex technical requirements into real operational value.

Alongside her project delivery work, Danielle leads Arup’s Digital Services business in the Midlands, shaping strategy, capability development and market growth across a diverse regional portfolio. She is also an active member of the Birmingham Digital Futures Strategic Round Table Committee, working with educators, industry partners and public bodies to build digital skills, strengthen regional capability and widen access to digital careers across the West Midlands.

A recognised advocate for diversity, visibility and empowerment of women in engineering and transport, Danielle was named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WES/The Telegraph). She is a STEM ambassador, school governor, mentor and long‑standing champion for inclusive early‑career development. She is particularly passionate about increasing the visibility of women in ITS, expanding the pipeline of future female leaders and embedding allyship and diverse thinking as central pillars of the transport sector.

With a rare blend of technical depth, digital expertise, strategic vision and values‑led leadership, Danielle is committed to helping shape a more inclusive, innovative and future‑ready intelligent transport sector—one that better reflects society and serves it more effectively.