After an international search, the ITA is thrilled to welcome Helen Roth as its new Executive Director to steer the ITA’s vital work and its programmes. 

Roth will take the helm as ITA Executive Director on 1 January 2025.

Roth, a Norwegian national, will bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in transport infrastructure and organisation administration to the position and will join the ITA at a pivotal time for the Association and the demands on the global tunnelling and underground infrastructure industry.

“Helen’s leadership and experience qualities are precisely what the ITA needs to navigate the evolving growth and administration of our Association,” said ITA President, Arnold Dix. “Her proven ability to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and achieve results makes her the ideal steward for our activities and ambitions. We are thrilled to welcome her and excited to chart the way forward with her.”

Fluent in English and Germany and with a knowledge of French and other languages, Roth will oversee the smooth and efficient operation of the Association’s Executive Council and the services of its central Secretariat to ensure the interconnectivity of the ITA federation of 80 Member Nations, its Committees, Working Groups, and members, and its association with the United Nations and other global partners and collaborators.

“I am eager to embark on this new journey for me and the ITA,” said Roth on accepting the position. “The tunnelling industry is at the forefront of solving some of the world’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, and I am honoured to lead an organisation that plays such an influential role in shaping a sustainable future for the world.”

Roth’s transition to the ITA comes after eight successful years as CEO of the VIA, a national Norwegian transportation infrastructure network created to facilitate collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the value chain for safe, smart and sustainable road solutions, including over bridges and through tunnels - areas that Norway has tremendous global experience and knowhow. Under her leadership, VIA has become a key player in shaping Norway's future transport infrastructure.

Roth joins the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) at a time of exponential growth in global urbanization and critical demand on infrastructure to meet huge global challenges including the consequences of rapid climate change, the rise of humanity on the move as refugees, and the aspirations to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Founded in 1974, the work of the ITA today is to support these efforts from an underground solutions perspective and to bring together industry leaders, engineers, contractors, and public agencies to address the particular challenges and advantages of the underground environment, providing expertise and knowledge-sharing platforms to benefit communities worldwide. With 80 Member Nations and members throughout the world, the ITA supports the global effort to create efficient and sustainable infrastructure for the future.