Railtrack plc

Management changes at Railtrack
_______________________________________________________________

date 21 November 2000
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack Chief Executive, Steve Marshall today announced new Board and senior appointments to strengthen the role of engineering at the Board level and to enhance the company's customer focus.

Executive Director Richard Middleton, a Chartered Engineer with 24 years experience with the rail industry, will become Technical Director. Andrew McNaughton, a Chartered Engineer with 27 years of experience, has today
taken up the post of Chief Engineer and will also be a member of the Group Committee and the Operations Committee. These appointments signal our intention to review and enhance the level of Railtrack's engineering resource.

Richard will also continue to be responsible for sponsorship of the major infrastructure projects and will assume Board level responsibility for IT and the Railtrack Asset Management Programme.

Jonson Cox, Chief Operating Officer, currently responsible for front line operations, will also assume Board level responsibility for the company's commercial and franchising activities, which include the passenger and freight businesses, timetabling and major stations.

A new role Director of Asset Maintenance has been created to review and improve the Company's maintenance delivery and its relationship with its contractors. This new role will report to Jonson Cox.

Recognising the importance of the National Recovery Plan, David Meek has been appointed Head of the National Recovery Programme and will act in the role of sponsor, reporting to Jonson. Frank Mirtle has been appointed as General Manager for the delivery of the programme, reporting to Major Projects and Investment Director, Simon Murray.

The roles of Executive Directors Chris Leah (Director, Safety & Environment) and Simon Murray (Director, Major Projects & Investment) remain unchanged, reporting to Steve Marshall.

Rod Muttram, Chief Executive designate of Railway Safety will continue to report to the Group Chairman.

Commenting on the appointments Chairman, Sir Philip Beck said:

'We felt it was important to strengthen the engineering leadership on the Board and put even greater focus upon our relations with our customers.

'Richard is an experienced railway man with 24 years in the railway industry, his new role will ensure that engineering is given proper priority by the company.

'By bringing together our operations and commercial activities under Jonson we will be better able to meet the needs of our customers, the Train Operating Companies and above all the travelling public'.

Railtrack, Chief Executive Steve Marshall said: 'Too many passengers are suffering delays to their services and I thank them for their patience. Our top priority is to implement the National Recovery Programme and get trains back to normal as soon as possible.

'The management changes we have announced today recognise the need to enhance engineering within the company and focus everything we do on serving the travelling public.'


For more information please contact the Railtrack press
office on 020 7557 8292.
All recent press releases can be found on the Railtrack
web site www.railtrack.co.uk/corporate

Railhub Archive ::: 2000-11-21 RTK-001