Network Rail has announced that Dave Hooper will be the new Managing Director for its Southern region, starting on 1 May. He will succeed Ellie Burrows, who will transition to the role of Managing Director for the Eastern region.
The Southern region, which spans from Devon to Kent, includes 544 stations and handles approximately 700 million passenger journeys annually.
Dave Hooper is currently the Director of Major Programmes at Siemens Mobility. He brings extensive experience from various leadership roles in the rail sector, including positions at Osborne, Transport for London, Serco Rail Operations, and two train operating companies. He also has a history with Network Rail, where he led early track-train integration projects in collaboration with South West Trains.
Sir Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said: “I’m extremely pleased that Dave will be joining our team.”
“He brings exceptionally broad rail experience at an exciting time for the sector.”
“As well as time spent with Network Rail previously on some early track-train integration thinking, he has broad experience of train operations and the supply chain which will be a huge benefit for us as we move ahead towards an integrated industry.”
Dave Hooper added: “I’m exhilarated to be joining the Network Rail Executive Leadership team at such an exciting time for the UK’s railway. I look forward to working together as one team, with the teams across Network Rail and with our wider industry partners, to improve the service offering for our passengers and freight customers.”
Image credit: Network Rail