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date 21 December 2001
source ATOC
type Press release

ATOC STRENGTHENS TRAIN OPERATOR REPRESENTATION IN MOVE TO IMPROVES BRITAINS RAILWAYS

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) today announced the appointment of Christopher Garnet [[Garnett]] as it's [[its]] new Chairman.

Mr Garnett replaces Richard Brown, who has recently left the National Express Group.

Commenting on the new appointment, George Muir, Director General of ATOC said,

"We are delighted that such a respected figure in the industry has taken up the position of Chairman. The industry is facing some testing times and we all have confidence in Christopher's ability to represent the train operators, helping us deliver services for passengers".

It is also announced that Graham Eccles an immensely respected railway operator will now Chair the industries National Task Force.

Commenting on Wednesdays highly successful meeting of the Task Force, George Muir said

"There was a good and very constructive meeting of the National Task force on Wednesday evening. The discussion is focused on getting performance back across the Industry. Graham Eccles, John Armitt and Richard Bowker were all there, joining in the discussion".

- ENDS -

For further information, ATOC press office 020 7904 3010


Notes to Editors:
Christopher Garnett has run GNER since it was created in April 1996. GNER has become recognised for the high quality of its customer service and the professionalism of its staff. This professionalism has been severely tested in the past 12 months following the two tragic accidents at Hatfield and Great Heck. GNER continues to develop its plans for an extended franchise to enable it to run more trains and thus deal with the problems of overcrowding. It currently receives no subsidy from the Government, whereas
last year in the Public Sector it received subsidies of £73m.

Christopher joined the transport industry in 1986 as Continental Sector Director of Sealink, two years after it was purchased by Sea Containers Ltd from British Rail. There he was responsible for the Harwich - Hook of Holland, Dover-Calais/Dunkirk and Folkestone-Boulogne routes. After Stena AB took over this part of Sealink in 1990, he joined Eurotunnel's sales and marketing strategies during the construction and launch of the Channel Tunnel for the "Le Shuttle" freight and car services. Christopher is married with three grown up children who all live around Putney in London.

Graham Eccles 55, is a career railwayman. He is a main board director of the Stagecoach Group, a Director of Virgin Rail Group and the Chairman of South West Trains. He has specialised in London suburban railway operations since 1979. After running both the Anglia and Southern Regions of British Rail, he became the Director of operations and Safety for Network South East in 1989. His last post for British Railways was as Managing Director Network South Central. . Before joining South West Trains, he worked for the parent, Stagecoach Group, as Rail Business Manager.

John Armitt is the Chief Executive of Railtrack plc. Richard Bowker is the Chairman of the Strategic Rail authority. The National Task Force (NTF) focuses on punctuality and other key service delivery issues. It meets every 4 weeks. It is compromised of representatives of all the train owner groups, Railtrack, the Rolling Stock leasing Companies (ROSCOs), and the the railway infrastructure maintenance contractors. Graham Eccles will chair the Task Force through to July 2002, when the chair will pass to Railtrack.

The ATOC Chairman leads the Association's Board, which meets every 4 weeks. It is forum where the train owning companies agree strategies to improve Britains passenger railways.

Railhub Archive ::: 2001-12-21 ATO-001