GB Railfreight (GBRf), one of the UK rail freight sector’s most successful operators, has announced the beginning of a structured leadership transition as founder and long‑serving Chief Executive Officer John Smith prepares to step back from the role after 25 years at the helm.
The move coincides with GBRf’s 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for a business that has grown from a start‑up to the country’s largest rail freight operator. The company, along with shareholder Infracapital, has now launched the formal search for Smith’s successor, with the transition planned to take place over the coming year. During this period, Smith will continue to lead the business and oversee a smooth handover once a new CEO is appointed.
Smith founded GBRf in 1999 and has played a central role in shaping the modern rail freight landscape. Reflecting on the announcement, he emphasised the pride he takes in what GBRf has achieved: “It’s been a privilege to lead GBRf for the last 25 years. We’ve achieved things I wouldn’t have thought possible when I founded the company — and that is due to the talent, dedication and passion of the people who have worked here.”
He added that the transition is being “carefully managed” and stressed his ongoing commitment to the organisation during the leadership change. Smith also paid tribute to two senior colleagues whose promotions form part of the company’s wider succession planning strategy.
Two Senior Leaders Step Up
Alongside the CEO transition announcement, GBRf confirmed two significant senior promotions designed to strengthen the company’s leadership team:
- Liam Day has been promoted from Asset Director to Interim Managing Director.
- Ian Langton, formerly Production Director, becomes Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Both leaders bring substantial rail industry experience and deep organisational knowledge to their new roles.
Liam Day – Interim Managing Director
Day joined GBRf in 2014 from Network Rail, where he began his career on the graduate management training programme before moving into freight operations. His progression through GBRf has been rapid and wide‑ranging: Terminal Development Manager, Head of Estates, General Manager in the commercial division, then Commercial Director from March 2020. He took on the role of Asset Director in September 2024.
His appointment as Interim Managing Director reflects a decade of operational, commercial, and strategic experience within the business, positioning him as a key figure in guiding GBRf through the upcoming transition period.
Ian Langton – Chief Operating Officer
Langton joined GBRf in 2012 after a 22‑year career with DB Schenker and its predecessor companies, beginning at British Rail. At GBRf, he has held senior roles overseeing operations, becoming Head of Operations upon joining the company and then Production Director in 2018. In that role, he has led the day‑to‑day delivery of GBRf’s nationwide operations — a significant responsibility given the company’s rapid growth, diversification, and increasing operational complexity.
As COO, Langton will play a central role in maintaining service reliability and shaping future operational strategy.
A Legacy of Growth and a New Chapter Ahead
James Cooper, Chairman of GBRf, paid tribute to Smith’s impact on the organisation and the wider freight industry. “On behalf of the Board, we’d like to thank John for his leadership of the business that he helped create and grow over the past 25 years,” he said. “As GBRf builds on this extraordinary legacy, we look forward to continuing to work with John in an advisory capacity, lending his invaluable experience in supporting the company in the next phase of its development.”
The announcements reflect not only a change in leadership but also a consolidation of GBRf’s long‑term strategy — ensuring continuity while preparing for the next phase of growth. With strong internal promotions and a planned CEO succession, GBRf is positioning itself for stability as it navigates evolving market conditions, increased demand for rail freight capacity, and the industry’s continued shift towards decarbonisation.
For one of the sector’s most influential operators, the coming year will mark both the end of an era and the start of a new chapter.
Image credits: GB Railfreight and iStock
