Network Rail has appointed Liam Sumpter to the role of Managing Director in Scotland, following the announcement that Alex Hynes has been seconded to the role of Director General, Rail Services, at the Department for Transport.
Liam will take up his new post on a two-year secondment from Monday 15th April 2024.
He began his career in the Engineering Innovation and Examination team with Railtrack in 2002, and has since held several positions including Area Director for the West Midlands and Chilterns and Regional Director of Aviva Rail North.
He has previously served as Network Rail’s Chief Operating Officer and Route Director for Scotland.
Scottish Rail Holdings has also announced that Joanne Maguire has been appointed interim Managing Director of Scotrail.
Liam said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to undertake the position of Managing Director for Network Rail in Scotland.
“Working as Route Director for the past five years has been deeply rewarding. We have a great team here in Scotland, and I am confident that together, we can continue to fulfil our main objective to run a reliable and safe railway.”
Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail said: “As we enter our new five-year funding period, Scotland’s Railway will face many challenges and opportunities and I have every confidence that Liam will continue delivering on our commitments on train service performance, safety, climate action and affordability to the Scottish Government, our partners, customers and our staff.”
Meanwhile, Anit Chandarana has been appointed to the role of group director, system operator, following his return to Network Rail after the conclusion of his secondment at the Department for Transport.
He replaces Lawrence Bowman, who had been covering the role on an interim basis and is now covering the role of route managing director for East Anglia.
In his early career, Anit trained as an accountant before joining Network Rail in 2003. He spent over a decade in various finance roles in 2020 was appointed as chief of staff to Andrew Haines.
In this role he set up the Great British Railways Transition Team, which he led from 2022 until he was appointed as interim director general at the DfT in 2023.
Anit will take up the position on a permanent basis from 29th April.
Image credit: Network Rail, Department for Transport, iStock
