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Who is going where: top appointments in the global rail industry.
Transport Secretary names next Network Rail and DFTO chairs
UK: Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has appointed Richard George as the next Chair of infrastructure manager Network Rail, and Sir Andrew Haines as Chair of Department for Transport Operator Ltd.
Combined transport is under a great deal of pressure, warns incoming UIRR Chair
EUROPE: Sustainability ’often seems to expensive’, the newly appointed Chair of combined transport industry association UIRR has said as he urged policymakers to support the use of intermodal transport across the continent.
DB Cargo UK targets maintenance and engineering growth
UK: DB Cargo UK has appointed Wayne Miller as Engineering Director to lead the growth of its third-party maintenance and engineering activities.
ORR Chief Executive John Larkinson to leave in April 2026
UK: John Larkinson has announced his decision to leave the Office of Rail & Road at the end of April 2026, after two decades at the regulator and seven years as Chief Executive.
Chris Burchell appointed as RSSB Chair
UK: Chris Burchell has been appointed as Chair of the Rail Safety & Standards Board with effect from January 1 2026.
Alex Hynes named next CEO of DfT Operator Ltd
UK: Alex Hynes has been named as the next Chief Executive of Department for Transport Operator Ltd, the state-owned holding company for passenger train operators which have passed into the public sector.
Train drivers’ union ASLEF announces next General Secretary
Castex predicts ‘the mother of all battles’ to fund French rail infrastructure as he takes over at SNCF
Law firm appoints former Elizabeth Line MD as rail sector adviser
Managing Director appointed as rail consultancy targets international growth
CSX names Steve Angel as CEO to replace Joe Hinrichs
Mark Hopwood named next Chair of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators
Arriva Group appoints next Chief Executive Officer
New CEO says Lobito Atlantic Railway is ‘a company with exceptional potential’
New Deutsche Bahn CEO sought as Lutz to finish term early
Network Rail announces Jeremy Westlake as next Chief Executive
Turkmen locos return to China for modernisation
Schnieder named next German transport minister
Caledonian Sleeper appoints interim Managing Director
CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility dies in helicopter crash
Single leadership for GWR and Network Rail control
Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines to retire
Amtrak CEO Gardner leaves as operator pushes back against Musk’s privatisation drive
Internal candidate chosen to head EU Agency for Railways