Mover and Shakers

Rail Business Daily’s Advisory Team appoint Martin Little as Chief Operating Officer

Martin Little has joined the Rail Business Daily family as Chief Operating Officer of RBD Advisory (RBDA). Martin is the former commercial director at Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) Rail Alliance.

Martin has been appointed to provide leadership and strategic direction to the organisation. He brings vast operational and managerial experience and is responsible for client delivery processes, business development, quality assurance, reporting structures and operation controls for the company.

He will communicate and foster growth among the executive team and the company’s growing workforce.

At BCRRE, Martin was responsible for the delivery of the organisation’s commercial and operational strategy and industrial development.

Steve Burch, RBDA’s managing director, said: “Martin has a great mix of big picture strategic thinking and a hands-on leadership style. We were excited to learn how much of his values align with our own. He has a reputation for setting a high bar, focusing on impact, and building trust with internal teams, stakeholders and customers.

“2021 was an important year for RBDA – we launched new services to help our supply chain clients build and commercialise capability and win in the market. We have also been working with asset owners, consultants and integrators to help them find the right supply chain solutions to achieve the outcomes they want. To deliver on this, we have welcomed a number of industry experts into the business, including Stephen Collicott, Andrew Stephens, Paul Corcoran, Neil Walker and Peter Queen among others.

“We are delighted that Martin agreed to join our leadership team to help take us into our next phase of growth. Welcome, Martin.”

Martin said: “I’m delighted to be joining the RBD Advisory team. The Rail Alliance gave me valuable experience of the industry and its fascinating spectrum of commercial complexity, for which I’m most grateful. After 20-odd years in construction I think it’s fair to say I’m quite well invested in rail now.

“I recognise the same passion and drive here at the RBD Group. The fast-growing RBD Community is complimented by the RBD Advisory business, the capability and vision of which is very impressive.

“The inertia of change in rail has intensified and our industry will need to reach out, be better connected and open minded in its adoption of reform, but we should also be honest about the complexity behind the statements we sometimes make as an industry. Often progress can only be incremental, greater advancement the sum of its parts.

“RBD Advisory is delivering change through realistic, tangible outputs. We describe ourselves as ‘unashamedly commercial,’ but we are ultimately embedding ourselves within the trust of our clients’ teams, guiding decisions that connect with market needs, all of which should contribute to the sector’s direction of travel. There’s a big responsibility attached to that.

“I’m very excited about developing our reach and partnerships as RBD Advisory and the wider RBD Group goes into 2022 as a cohesive and progressive sector capability.”

Keltbray announces new Operations Director for Piling

Keltbray has announced the appointment of Paul Wiltcher as Operations Director for its Piling division, reporting to Stuart Norman, Managing Director.

Paul has built a highly successful career over 25 years in the piling and foundations industry, gaining a wealth of experience in the UK and overseas working on a number of large projects.

During that time Paul has worked on many complex major projects, most notably, Amsterdam NoordZuid Lijn, NLE Battersea Station Box, the New US Embassy, London, 21 Moorfields and London City Airport.

Prior to joining Keltbray, Paul most recently held the role of Operations Director at Skanska.

Commenting on his appointment, Stuart Norman, Managing Director, Piling, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the team.

“Paul joins us with a wealth of experience having worked for some of the best specialist piling and foundations companies in the UK and abroad.

“We are delighted to have him join us where he will have a senior role to play in delivering our core mission statement and values.”

WSP makes third senior hire to its rail business in six months

Phil Wells has started his new role as WSP’s Stations Group Director. He is the third senior hire in six months as the engineering professional services consultancy grows its rail business.

Phil brings to WSP more than 30 years of industry experience. He has supported delivery of and led major multi-disciplinary projects, including West Coast Route Modernisation Rugby Station Remodelling; Bank Station Capacity Upgrade; and Network Rail’s southern track alliance.

Following a period of transition with his predecessor Dan Bishop – who will now fully focus on his role as Deputy Head of Discipline (Delivery) for WSP’s Rail business – Phil took on full responsibility in his

Photo: WSP

new role this month.

Previously AECOM’s Regional Rail Director for London and the South East, in this national role Phil will lead a 160-strong team and a growing portfolio of station projects, which includes HS2 stations (Euston, Old Oak Common and Curzon Street), Crossrail / Elizabeth line stations (Paddington and Tottenham Court Road), and Brent Cross West station.

He said: “Station projects represent the ultimate multidisciplinary challenge; they are where all aspects of building and infrastructure come together.

“So, it’s great to be joining a business with such an impressive and growing portfolio of exciting and cutting-edge projects. As well as supporting project delivery, I also look forward to working with the team to build on our pipeline of opportunities in the UK and beyond.”

This latest senior level appointment follows the recent announcements that Matt Bailey, Delivery Director, and Stuart Dickson, Director of Rail Major Projects, had recently joined WSP

IT expert comes on board at Bluebell Railway

Nigel Page has been appointed as Bluebell Railway’s first IT Director.

Nigel is an experienced senior IT leader across all technologies, delivering strategic business and IT outcomes for multi-national customers. He is currently a senior manager with Amazon Web Services.

He said: “I am very excited about taking on this role with a long tenure in the IT industry. This is my first non-executive director role and I bring my technology experience and expertise in both the IT processing and business side.

“I ultimately want to create a vision of how the Bluebell uses technology while retaining its heritage over the next five years.”

New appointments for Scottish Rail ScotRail announces new COO

Holdings ScotRail has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer

AChief Executive Officer (COO), set to take up the role on and Finance Director 1 April 2022, the day the train have been appointed to operator becomes a public body.

Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) Joanne Maguire is currently – the holding company being Vice Principal – Resources at the set up to oversee the delivery University of the West of Scotland. of high-performing services There, she oversees a range of by ScotRail Trains Limited departments including finance, on behalf of Ministers when HR and industrial relations, health the current Abellio ScotRail and safety, sustainability, and contract ends. information services.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Joanne will take over from current Gibb and Finance Director David COO Ian McConnell when Abellio Lowrie have been appointed on hands over the franchise to Scottish a fixed-term basis and work also Rail Holdings – the public body continues to explore the process that will own and oversee ScotRail for recruiting non-executive posts Trains from 1 April 2022. within Scottish Rail Holdings. Prior to her current role, Joanne

Transport Minister Graeme Dey was Executive Director for HR at said: “I’m pleased to announce the university. She has also held that two senior management roles have been appointed to Scottish Rail Holdings, they both bring with them a wealth of knowledge in the rail industry.

“We are on track to delivering SRH in the new year, which will provide ScotRail services within the public sector under Scottish Government control and facilitate the smoothest transition possible for rail passengers and staff on 1 April 2022.

“The Scottish Government is of the view that this is most robust and sustainable model available under current UK rail legislation, which we have no powers to change.

“It strikes a balance between the ability of experienced rail professionals to make operational decisions and overall accountability to the Scottish Government. We would also expect to see strong partnerships with Network Rail and other parts of the industry as a key feature of the new arrangements.

“We expect that the formal transfer of ScotRail staff to the new arrangements will commence over the coming months and full details and support will be provided to all of those affected in good time.” senior leadership roles at City of Glasgow College and in the manufacturing and retail sectors.

In December, Transport Scotland announced the appointment of Chris Gibb as CEO of Scottish Rail Holdings. Chris will also chair the board of ScotRail Trains.

Joanne said: “I am excited to take up my role at ScotRail Trains. Throughout the pandemic, the railway has played a vital role in keeping key workers moving, connecting communities, and supporting the economy during challenging times.

“I know from my own experience as a passenger how passionate railway staff are about their role in keeping Scotland moving safely while delivering good customer service, and I cannot wait to join the team and engage with colleagues across the organisation.

“The transition to the new public body will be the next chapter in the evolution of Scotland’s Railway, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a leading role in the organisation during what will no doubt be an exciting time.”

Hannah Kingsley has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at the Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB).

She joined from Network Rail, where she was the Finance Director for the Anglia Route. Prior to this, Hannah held several roles at the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), including as the Director of Commercial Service and Assurance and Head of Commercial Finance. She was also a financial controller for several of Network Rail’s business units.

Welcoming Hannah’s appointment, RSSB’s Chief Executive Mark Phillips said: “Hannah is bringing a wealth of experience to our team and will help us become more financially sustainable, as we continue to support the rail industry to deliver a better and safer postpandemic railway.”

Hannah said: “I am really excited to be joining RSSB at such a pivotal time for the rail industry. I genuinely believe that the industry is being given a unique opportunity to deliver a more joined up and efficient approach, to modernise and drive

TikTok trainspotting star Francis Bourgeois has been appointed as a brand ambassador at GB Railfreight (GBRf).

Throughout 2022, Francis will be sharing his passion and insights for the railway, by showcasing the vital role of rail freight and going behind the scenes at GBRf. Hannah Kingsley appointed as RSSB’s new Chief Financial Officer

Photo: RSSB

forward a sustainable future. I can’t wait to meet the whole team and get stuck into the challenges ahead.”

GBRf says Francis first caught its attention following his viral video featuring the Class 73/9 locomotive named ‘Dick Mabbutt’, which has now amassed 12 million views on TikTok.

He said: “I am so excited to be joining GB Railfreight, I have had a lifelong passion for the railway, and

Photo: ScotRail

Social media star joins GBRf as brand ambassador I can’t wait to apply this enthusiasm to my ambassadorship at the company. “I am really looking forward to elevating the world of trains, rail freight, and spreading happiness and joy in general — with GB Railfreight, we will be able to achieve this together.”

National Railway Museum appoints new Partnerships Manager

Paddy McNulty has undertaken the role of Railway Partnerships Manager at The National Railway Museum in York.

In this newly created role, he will work with railway partners and the heritage railway sector, developing and strengthening relationships while acting as the day-to-day contact for existing borrowers and for new loan enquiries.

Paddy will work across the museum’s professional teams, including curatorial, registration, conservation, engineering, and rail operations, to ensure a coordinated approach.

Paddy has worked in the cultural heritage sector for more than 20 years. In 2014, he established his own cultural heritage consultancy and has extensive experience in partnership development.

He was the national museum lead for the Arts Council Englandfunded Museum-University Partnership Initiative and provided strategic, operational, and business consultancy services to a wide range of museum and heritage organisations, including – Kirkaldy Testing Museum, Coombe Mill, The British Museum and Bath Preservation Trust.

A regular visitor to the National Railway Museum from a young age, Paddy has a keen interest in railway heritage and has family connections to the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust, where his late stepfather was a founding member.

Paddy said: “I am delighted to join the Science Museum Group in the run up to Vision 2025, which promises to bring transformational changes to the National Railway Museum and Locomotion.

“This new role has been created to improve communication with our borrowers, and I aim to nurture these important relationships and to celebrate the National Collection.

“COVID-willing, I plan to be as proactive as possible, and I want to get out to meet as many partners and borrowers and to visit as many heritage railways as possible.”

SWGR appoints new Head of Delivery for Scotland to build on experienced team

SWGR has announced the appointment of Stuart Munro as its Head of Delivery for Scotland.

Stuart joined in January, bringing a wealth of experience in railway multi-disciplinary projects from Track Renewals, overhead line construction, isolations, and frontline management, gained from roles in Network Rail, SSE and SPL.

He said: “SWGR is a company that is delivering consistently fantastic levels of work and I am excited to be able to be a part of the journey.

“It is thanks to the forwardthinking mentality of the team and a constant hunger to innovate and make a difference beyond the basic work that I felt it was the right move to make in my career.

“In everything we do, ensuring we deliver safely and deliver well is essential. SWGR is dedicated to doing the right thing and it is a business I am delighted to join.”

Managing Director of Lumo steps down

The managing director of Lumo, Helen Wylde, has stepped down from her role to take up a position outside the rail industry.

Going forward, First Rail’s commercial projects director Phil Cameron will act as Interim Managing Director. Phil also worked with the Lumo team throughout the mobilisation period and will ensure a level of continuity over the coming months until a permanent successor is appointed.

Helen joined First Rail in March 2020 to lead the mobilisation of the new East Coast open access train service. This has been successfully delivered, with Lumo commencing passenger services from October 2021.

Andy Mellors, First Rail Managing Director of nonfranchised businesses, said: “Having led the mobilisation through the challenges presented by the pandemic over the past two years, Helen leaves Lumo with its 100 per cent electric, affordable and innovative service proposition firmly established. I would like to thank Helen and wish her well in the future.”

Nick Gray joins Currie & Brown as new UK and Europe lead

Nick Gray has started his new role as Currie & Brown’s Chief Operating Officer designate for the UK and Europe business. He has succeeded Alan Manuel, who has transitioned to the role of Group Chief Executive.

Based in the North of England, Nick has spent the past 24 years at Faithful+Gould, most recently as regional lead for its North, Scotland and Ireland business.

Nick has also held roles at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), Bucknall Austin and Tarmac Construction, where he began his career.

As a chartered quantity surveyor, Nick was previously a member of the RICS UK and Ireland Regulatory Board for six years. He is now a member of the RICS Conduct and Appeals Committee.

Commenting on Nick’s appointment, Alan Manuel said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Nick as he joins us to continue our strong growth in the UK and European markets. His extensive experience of our core and specialist services will bring real benefit to both the business and clients alike.”