21.06.18
New GTR boss named to lead company through ‘difficult times’
Struggling rail firm Govia Thameslink Railway has named Patrick Verwer as its new chief executive.
Following former chief executive Charles Horton’s resignation last week, the Go-Ahead group said the they “have full confidence” in Verwer’s ability to lead through current difficulties.
Charles Horton announced his resignation last week citing “frustrations” from passengers after a tumultuous bedding in of new timetables across the line on 20 May. Last week, GTR suffered a decline in the number of journeys on it’s lines for the second year in a row.
Patrick Verwer was managing director at London Midland trains between 2012 and 2017, after working in the transport industry in the UK and Europe. Patrick came to the UK in 2003 as managing director of Merseyrail.
CEO of Go-Ahead Group David Brown said: “I have full confidence in Patrick’s ability and determination to lead GTR and its team through the current difficulties and to deliver the long-term benefits of the new timetable.
“Patrick brings with him a long history of collaborating with industry partners such as Network Rail and the DfT to deliver for customers.”
Verwer himself said: “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver on the transformation that is already underway at GTR. My focus will be on ensuring we meet the needs of our customers each and every day.”
Verwer will join GTR in early July.
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