The number of Transport for London (TfL) employees earning a basic salary above £100,000 has surged 15% in the last financial year, climbing from 536 to 617, according to new data in TfL's latest remuneration report. In 2016, only 188 staff earned a six-figure base salary.
Pay Rise and Benefits
TfL and London Underground staff received a 3.4% pay rise for 2025/26, along with benefits such as a free annual travel pass for a family member or friend. The report also shows that 2,048 TfL staff earned over £100,000 including bonuses and overtime, down from 2,217 in 2024/25 when backdated pay awards inflated the figure.
“The figures for 2024/25 were impacted by the payment of back-dated pay awards causing an increase in the numbers last year,” the report states. “The overall number of people who earned more than £100,000 in 2025/26 fell by 169 to 2,048.”
Top Earners
Commissioner Andy Lord was the highest-paid employee, receiving £635,533 in total, including a base salary of £460,295 and bonuses of £172,222. This was around £3,631 lower than the previous year. He is paid about nine times the median TfL salary. The report notes that Lord and his chief officers are paid “significantly below the market level” compared to similar public and private sector organisations.
Helen Chapman, former Director of Licensing and Regulation, had the second-highest income at £430,098, which included £302,593 as “compensation for loss of employment.” She left the organisation earlier this year. Fiona Brunskill, Chief People Officer, earned £418,556, including a base salary of £321,035 and £94,539 in benefits.
Salary Comparisons
These salaries exceed that of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who earns £174,039 a year, and the median full-time London wage of £49,826. TfL says 225 of employees earning six-figure basic salaries are below senior management level, with 217 of those salaries set by London Underground. These roles are understood to be “safety-critical” rather than Tube drivers.
TfL employs around 28,000 people. The average Tube driver earns about £73,700 a year, while junior station staff earn around £36,000 and senior station staff about £45,000. Men accounted for 77% of those earning basic salaries above £100,000, with women at 23%.
Organisational Context
Peter Strachan, Chair of TfL’s People and Remuneration Committee, said: “Despite a turbulent economy, TfL has delivered a financial surplus for three successive years and continues to cover all day-to-day running costs from its own income, with any surplus invested back into improvements across the network. Our people are critical to ensuring that TfL delivers for London. This means ensuring that remuneration remains competitive, whilst ensuring pay is set at an appropriate and affordable level.”
A TfL spokesperson added: “TfL is a complex £9bn a year turnover organisation that is central to the success of London and the UK... While there was a rise in the number of employees with a base salary of £100,000 or more in 2025/26 due to inflationary rises, the overall number of people who earned more than £100,000 during 2025/26 reduced by eight per cent. In a highly competitive market... it is essential that we continue to attract and retain staff.”
Top 10 Earners List
- Andy Lord, Commissioner - £635,533 (down from £639,164)
- Helen Chapman (has now left TfL) - £430,098 (mainly compensation)
- Fiona Brunskill, Chief People Officer - £418,556 (up from £377,654)
- Rachel McLean, Chief Financial Officer - £390,163 (down from £437,454)
- Claire Mann, Chief Operating Officer - £389,676 (up from £307,206)
- Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer - £378,388 (down from £382,236)
- Andrea Clarke, General Counsel - £359,555 (up from £298,541)
- Stuart Harvey, Chief Capital Officer - £358,050 (down from £423,583)
- Patrick Doig, Chief Finance Officer - £313,952 (up from £297,298)
- Peter McNaught, Director of Operational Performance and Readiness - £265,108 (up from £264,192)
