19.01.16
SWT boss to lead entire Stagecoach rail division
The current boss of South West Trains (SWT) will step up to the role of managing director of Stagecoach Group’s entire rail division, including East Midlands Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast and the Supertram network in Sheffield.
Tim Shoveller will take on four more franchises in his new role, reporting directly to the company’s chief executive, Martin Griffiths.
The new MD, who holds 25 years of experience in the rail industry and first joined the group in 2007, will oversee the company’s existing rail businesses and new business development opportunities.
He was also the MD of the ‘deep alliance’ between SWT and Network Rail, which unravelled in June of last year after infrastructure decisions for the route were put back in the hands of Network Rail. Shoveller, alongside his role as SWT boss, was in charge of the alliance and helped make such decisions with guidance from Network Rail.
Christian Roth, current fleet director at SWT and a frequent contributor to RTM (most recently in our Dec/Jan 2017 edition), who also brings 25 years’ worth of experience in the industry, will take over Shoveller’s MD job as he moves to lead the entire network.
Both appointments are effective from 1 February.
Griffiths commented: “Tim has made a significant impact at SWT over the past four years, including leading our ground-breaking alliancing with Network Rail. He has extensive management experience and first-hand insight into large parts of the UK rail network, as well as a strong commitment to safety, customer service and partnership working with stakeholders.
“Christian has a strong understanding of the South West Trains network and the key priorities ahead. He has played a central role in the development and delivery of our capacity enhancement plans in Partnership with Network Rail and the Department for Transport.”
Shoveller said he was “delighted” to be heading the Group’s UK rail division and its “highly professional team”, while Roth said he was proud to have been given the opportunity to lead “one of the most important rail networks in the UK and Europe”.
The DfT has recently launched the stakeholder consultation document for the new SWT franchise, with a procurement process for the next operator scheduled for this year. Over the coming months, the government will compile the invitation to tender for the franchise, providing the basis upon which pre-qualified bidders can submit proposals.
The new franchise is due to start in June 2017.