17.12.15
McLoughlin appoints interim chair of ORR
Professor Stephen Glaister, a former director of the RAC Foundation for motorists, has been appointed the interim chair of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a 12-month period.
Prof Glaister, who has served as a non-executive director on the ORR board since April 2015, will replace Anna Walker when she steps down at the end of this month.
As the government is reviewing the role and responsibilities of the ORR following the recent Bowe review, the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin MP, who directly appoints the regulator’s chair, decided to make the appointment interim rather than permanent.
McLoughlin said: “A strong, independent regulator is essential in maintaining the safe and smooth running of the UK’s transport network and I am confident that Professor Glaister will bring continuity and stability to the ORR as we consider the broader shape and structure of the rail industry.
“His wealth of experience will ensure the organisation is best placed to respond to the challenges ahead and able to deliver both value for money for taxpayers, and improvements for passengers. I would also like to thank Anna Walker for her dedication to the role over the past six years.”
Prof Glaister, a former board member of Transport for London and director of the RAC Foundation, said he was honoured to be leading ORR as chair at “this time of both rejuvenation and enhancement for rail and road, working with ORR’s expert staff – all of whom are committed to serving the public interest”. He will take up his appointment on 1 January 2016, which will run until 31 December 2016.