Helen Smart has been a civil servant for over 20 years, with experience across a number of Departments, including supporting SMEs, broadband infrastructure, environmental policy for major rail projects, and working on good quality policy making itself. Helen joined the DfT Environment and Adaptation Strategy team in June 2024, leading on climate adaptation strategy for transport infrastructure for DfT, setting strategic direction and driving adaptation action to ensure the transport system will be resilient to extreme weather events caused by climate change. The team works across Government to deliver the National Adaptation Programme and to fulfil DfT’s adaptation obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008.