Network Rail has announced its five new regional managing directors, appointed as part of chief executive Andrew Haines’ reorganisation and devolution plans for the company.
Under those plans, there will be 13 routes, increased from the current eight. Each route will have responsibility for delivery of its operations, maintenance and renewals, will be responsible for day to day delivery of train performance and will work closely with its local train operating partners.
The routes will be supported by five Network Rail regions – Scotland, Wales & Western, North West & Central, Southern and Eastern. Each will be led by a managing director, and it is those appointments which have now been announced.
These are:
- Alex Hynes – Scotland
- John Halsall – Southern
- Mark Langman – Wales and Western
- Rob McIntosh – Eastern
- Tim Shoveller – North West and Central.
Four of the appointments are internal. Alex Hynes is already head of the Scotrail Alliance, John Halsall is in charge of the South East route, Mark Langman is Western route managing director and Rob McIntosh runs the London North Eastern and East Midlands (LNE&EM) route.
Tim Shoveller joins Network Rail from Stagecoach, where he manages the groups UK rail division. However, he was also formerly managing director of the of the South West Trains/Network Rail alliance, so he has experience of working with Network Rail in managing railway infrastructure.
Commenting on his appointment, Tim Shoveler said: “Coming from an operator background, where a customer-focused approach was second nature, gives me a unique perspective for this new and exciting role. I will ensure that the passengers’ voice is heard and their needs, and those of freight users, are always considered first.”
Further appointments
The names of the thirteen route managing directors are expected to be released in June. However, two further new appointments have been announced. Martin Frobisher, currently MD of the London North Western route, becomes group engineering director, while Nick King, executive general manager of Queensland Rail’s Citytrain service, joins as group director, network services.
Nick King, who has previously been vice president for fleet management of Bombardier Transportation’s business based in Derby, said: “Britain has one of the biggest, fastest growing and safest railways in the world and I’m very excited to be joining Network Rail at this critical phase in its growth into an organisation that puts the passenger first.”
Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “We’re making these changes as a major part of our plan to provide the best possible service for passengers and freight users, to deliver the promises we’ve made for the next five years and to improve the way we work together as an industry.
“Devolving the company further into 13 routes, supported by five regions led by our new managing directors, will drive focus on what matters most to our customers – a more punctual, reliable and efficient railway.”
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