Tom Marsh is a Senior Consultant in the Systems Engineering profession, working on Transport Decarbonisation projects at Connected Places Catapult. Within this role, Tom works at the interface of government, industry, and technology developers to accelerate the deployment of low- and zero-emission transport solutions. His work focuses on addressing complex, system-level barriers to decarbonisation across freight, logistics, and infrastructure, with expertise in zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), future energy systems, and coastal shipping.

In his current role, Tom applies systems thinking to support the design, delivery, and scale-up of innovative transport programmes, helping stakeholders navigate technical, commercial, and safety challenges associated with emerging technologies. He has developed a strong understanding of electrified and future fuel systems, associated infrastructure requirements, and the operational realities of logistics and freight movements. His work is characterised by close collaboration with industry consortia, infrastructure developers, policymakers, and investors to ensure that innovation is both technically robust and commercially viable.

A significant focus of Tom’s work at Connected Places Catapult has been supporting the Department for Transport’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrations (ZEHID) programme, the UK’s largest decarbonised transport demonstrator. Through this programme, he led multiple work packages spanning infrastructure deployment, public-realm charging and refuelling, safety assurance, and market development. He led the development of safety and security best-practice guidance for early zero-emission HGV infrastructure, undertaking detailed risk assessments, standards review, and technical research to address hazards associated with high-power charging and hydrogen refuelling systems. This work has supported infrastructure developers and local authorities in progressing early projects with greater confidence and consistency.

Alongside road freight, Tom has a strong professional interest in maritime and particularly coastal shipping as a mechanism to reduce logistics emissions, congestion, and resilience risks within the UK freight system. He led a discovery study examining the potential role of short sea shipping in the UK to enable modal shift from road to sea, engaging extensively with ports, operators, policymakers, and logistics stakeholders. This work explored operational, economic, and policy barriers to adoption, modelled future freight and emissions scenarios, and identified opportunities where coastal shipping could deliver significant carbon and system-level benefits when integrated with inland logistics. Building on this work, Tom has helped shape project consortia and partnerships to take these insights forward into pilot projects and feasibility studies, demonstrating where coastal shipping can deliver practical, scalable benefits.

Earlier in his career, Tom worked in data, systems, and transformation roles across consulting, architecture, and technology organisations, building a strong foundation in analytical problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and business change. This experience continues to inform his approach to transport decarbonisation, particularly where digital tools, data, and cross-sector coordination are required.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Birmingham and a Diploma of Project Management. He is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is currently working towards Chartered Engineer status. He brings a practical, systems-oriented perspective to transport decarbonisation, with a particular interest in freight, logistics, and maritime solutions that deliver real-world impact at scale.