Serco Group

Serco appoints Managing Director to run the iconic Caledonian Sleeper franchise
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date 30 October 2014
source Serco Group
type Press release

Serco has appointed Peter Strachan as Managing Director of the Caledonian Sleeper franchise which begins operating in April 2015.

He joins Serco Caledonian Sleeper from Serco’s business in Australia where he led on and supported two key rail bids in Sydney. Prior to joining Serco in 2013, Peter was Director-General Major Projects for the Department for Transport, leading on the UK Government’s major rail and road capital projects and for transport in London, including the London 2012 Olympics and chairing the CrossRail joint sponsor board. Also in the UK, Peter has successfully led a number of UK train operating companies as Managing Director, including Arriva Trains Wales and was Route Director for Network Rail London North Western. Overseas, Peter was CEO of National Express Group’s Rail Division in Melbourne and latterly CEO for TransLink Transit Authority in Brisbane.

Peter will lead the Serco team responsible for transforming the Sleeper service into an outstanding hospitality service that is emblematic of the best of Scotland which includes all aspects of the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper franchise; marketing, sales, hospitality service on the trains, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for guests.

Commenting on his appointment, Peter said, “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Managing Director for the Caledonian Sleeper service. As a Scot, it is a real privilege to have the opportunity to lead the transformation of our iconic Sleeper service. I look forward to working with the team to deliver a guest experience that embodies the best Scotland has to offer.”

David Stretch, Managing Director for Serco’s Transport business said, “Serco has a strong track record of providing high quality, customer focused rail services all over the world, as well as experience in managing large scale tourism-focused transport services. Peter brings a wealth of executive leadership and experience to our transport business and I am confident that he will lead the team to a successful launch, and subsequent transformation of the prestigious Caledonian Sleeper service over the coming years.”

The franchise, which is worth up to £800m over the 15-year contract period, begins in April 2015 and will see Serco manage all aspects of the Sleeper service including marketing, sales, the on-train hospitality service, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for Sleeper passengers. The franchise has been split from the main ScotRail franchise to meet Transport Scotland’s vision of transforming the Sleeper service into a truly emblematic and guest focused service for passengers travelling between Scotland and England.

A fleet of new carriages will be introduced in 2018 which include a range of new features; ensuite berths, Pod flatbeds - used for the first time in rail, and a brasserie-style Club Car. Passengers will also benefit from a new website to book their tickets and will be offered a much broader range of fares, earlier boarding of trains and the ability to manage their journey virtually. Over £100m will be invested in the new fleet which is part funded by a £60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers and will be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Manjeet Turner, 07718195320, manjeet.turner@serco.com or Charles Carr, 0771 819 4381, charles.carr@serco.com

Notes to Editors:

1. The 15-year franchise begins in April 2015 and will see Serco manage all aspects of the Sleeper service including marketing, sales, the on-train hospitality service, vehicle maintenance and the provision of facilities at stations for Sleeper passengers.

2. The franchise has been split from the main ScotRail franchise to meet Transport Scotland’s vision of transforming the Sleeper service into a truly emblematic and guest focused service for passengers travelling between Scotland and England.

3. Around 270,000 journeys were made on the Sleeper service in the last full year.

4. The current ScotRail franchise, including operation of the Caledonian Sleeper, was awarded to FirstGroup plc, operating as First ScotRail Limited, in August 2004 and continues until March 2015.

5. Serco is already one of Scotland’s largest employers with 3,000 employees working to provide a range of services, including: NorthLink Ferries connecting the Scottish mainland to the Shetland Islands and Orkney islands; the management of Scatsta Airport; provision of marine support services for the Royal Navy in the Clyde; facilities management at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and Wishaw hospital; Customer Service Contract centres in Glasgow, Fort William and the provision of ICT and property services for Glasgow City Council (ACCESS).

Serco’s transport business

Serco delivers innovative transport solutions, whether by air, road, water or rail, to public transport authorities, government departments and commercial enterprises around the world.

Our focus on operational efficiencies and improving sustainability support our customers in meeting their strategic aims and objectives. Serco's experience in providing a wide range of multi-modal transport solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America enables us to tailor our services to meet the needs of a diverse travelling public. Our aim is to ensure that by delivering high-quality services, we can make a difference to people's journeys and lives.

Serco has a successful track record and compelling offer in both the UK and global light and heavy rail markets. We operate Northern Rail, the UK's largest passenger rail franchise, as well as Merseyrail with our joint venture partner Abellio.

Serco also operates NorthLink Ferries on behalf of the Scottish Government. The lifeline ferry service links the Orkney Islands and Shetland islands with the UK mainland. Since 2012, Serco has refurbished the three passenger vessels and improved the services with innovative Sleeping Pods, new showering facilities, refreshed menus using more local produce, and better onward public transport connections. Serco has also invested in a marketing campaign, including partnerships with Visit Scotland and local promotion bodies. Serco created a bold new brand for the service that is designed to excite tourists by using the Viking heritage of the Northern Isles.

Since April 2014, Serco, together with its 50:50 Swedish joint venture (JV) partner Strömma Tourism & Maritime, has operated one of Stockholm harbour’s key ferry services on behalf of Stockholm County Council and public ferry company, Waxholms Ångfartygs AB (WÅAB).

In the Middle East we have been operating the driverless Dubai Metro system since its inception 2008 and have recently secured a five year extension to 2019. In the UK, Serco has operated and maintained London’s award-winning Docklands Light Railway (DLR) since 1997. While in Australia, we own the Great Southern Rail (GSR) which operates tourist trains - the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overlander. Serco also operates the iconic Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme in London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and the innovative scheme has seen over 26 million hires and been expanded across the city.

In the USA, Serco provides a bus transportation service to and from Washington Dulles International Airport for the US National Conservation Training Centre.

Serco is the only significant non-government provider of air traffic services in the world. We operate on a global basis and handle about six million aircraft movements each year at airports in Europe, the Middle East and North America on behalf of customers including the UK’s Ministry of Defence, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the United Arab Emirates’ Area Control Centre in Abu Dhabi.

Serco also recently secured a major US contract to integrate and operate the state of Virginia’s five transport operation centres and the contract to operate the Dubai Tramway system.

Railhub Archive ::: 2014-10-30 SER-001