Labour reshuffle - Creagh new Shadow SoS

A big Eye welcome to @marycreagh_mp - new Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, with a bowler tip to @LabourList and @Markfergusonuk
— The Fact Compiler (@TheFactCompiler) October 7, 2013

Labour says no change to stance on HS2 despite Maria Eagle moving. @marycreagh_mp (who is excellent btw) a big HS2 supporter too.
— Sunny Hundal (@sunny_hundal) October 7, 2013

Mary Creagh is the MP for Wakefield.

Gibb to Network Rail Board

That didn't take long!
 
This from Network Rail...

‘Lifetime railwayman’ Chris Gibb to join Network Rail as non-executive director

Network Rail has today announced the appointment of one of Britain’s most experienced rail industry figures, Chris Gibb, as a non-executive director.

Mr Gibb, 50, has worked in the rail industry for more than 30 years and is currently chief operating officer of Virgin Rail Group, responsible for all aspects of the delivery of Virgin’s operations on the West Coast main line.

Last year, he undertook a successful six-month secondment to Network Rail to lead a taskforce focused on improving the performance and reliability of the West Coast main line, resulting in the implementation of a targeted programme of investment to tackle the most common causes of delay.

A big Eye welcome back to Chris Gibb, it only seems hours ago that you left.

Conservative reshuffle - Goodwill in

Robert Goodwill has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary at @transportgovuk #reshuffle
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) October 7, 2013

Note this is a PUSS role rather then a ministerial one.

Robert Goodwill is the MP for Scarborough and Whitby.

UPDATE: This from Wikipedia with a bowler tip to ASLEFs @SimonWeller...

He takes a keen interest in steam engines and owns several; he once brought an engine back from the former Czechoslovakia to restore it.

Crank alert!

LibDem reshuffle - Baker gone. Kramer - in!

Staunch Cleggite Jeremy Browne being replaced at Home Office by Norman Baker. Biggest shock of reshuffle so far #reshuffle
— James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) October 7, 2013

Flabber is increasingly ghasted today!

BOOM! The big one lands: Susan Kramer replaces Norman Baker at transport.
— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) October 7, 2013

Speechless! 

Baroness Kramer has been appointed as Minister of State at @transportgovuk #reshuffle
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) October 7, 2013

So Baroness Kramer (LibDem) takes Tory ministerial role. 

Key question - who gets HS2?

Virgin reshuffles the cards!

Virgin Trains  bosses Tony Collins and Chris Gibbs quitting Branson's firm
— Gwyn Topham (@GwynTopham) October 7, 2013

Gosh!

UPDATE: Chris Gibb confirms he is to retire.

Eye doesn't believe a word of it! He'll be back!!! 

UPDATE: This from Virgin Trains...

Virgin Rail Group (VRG) today (7 October 2013) confirmed details of its management team moving forward as Tony Collins, Chief Executive Officer and Chris Gibb, Chief Operating Officer  announced plans to retire after combined service of nearly 25 years.

Both Tony and Chris will step down this month.

Tony, who has had nearly 14 years with Virgin Trains and nine years as Chief Executive Officer, said now was the right time to hand over to a new team with the decision over the next West Coast Main Line franchise scheduled for 2017. He will remain as a consultant to VRG, ensuring the company retains access to his vast knowledge and experience for its franchise bid strategy.

Chris has also announced his retirement, after 10 years with Virgin Trains including six as Chief Operating Officer. Chris, a career railwayman, is hugely respected across the industry. He recently spent time with Network Rail, advising them on how to deliver performance improvements across the West Coast Main Line route.

The new management team will be overseen by Joint Executive Chairmen Patrick McCall and Martin Griffiths from shareholders Virgin Group and Stagecoach Group. Both have been involved in the management and growth of the business for more than a decade and will now chair the monthly executive meeting and drive the bid and growth strategy.

Phil Whittingham, as Director of Finance, is stepping up to become the Lead Executive. Phil Bearpark, Production Director, will become Director Operations and Customer Service and will also be the safety system duty holder. Patrick McGrath remains as Director Human Resources, while Graham Leech, Executive Director Commercial, and Andy Cross, Director Business Support, will also continue in their current positions. Each of the Senior Management Team has more than a decade of experience at Virgin Trains and together will have full responsibility for delivering every aspect of the business performance on a day-to-day basis.

Sir Richard Branson said: “Tony has been a wonderful leader of Virgin Trains over the past nine years, spearheading the development of a world-leading railway which is loved by its customers. He combines a brilliant grasp of the details of running the business with a passion for its people and the passengers.

“Tony, Chris and the team at Virgin Trains have transformed the West Coast Main Line from a laughing stock into Europe’s busiest long distance rail service. We have cut journey times, improved service and radically changed people’s experiences. Tony is passing the baton to a hugely experienced senior management team at Virgin Trains who are focused on how we can make services even better for our customers on what is on the backbone of the UK rail network.”

Sir Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chairman, said: "Virgin Trains is a fantastic partnership between two innovative transport groups. Tony, the wider management team and the thousands of people at the sharp end of delivering the train service for customers have done a superb job of making our joint vision of transforming rail travel a reality. There is more growth to come and the team we have in place will ensure we have continuity and experience to build on these achievements."

Tony Collins said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed leading Virgin Trains and working with the wonderful staff to build a railway service that we can be truly proud of. We have come a long way in the last 10 years and we could not have done it without the amazing support of our people. We overcame all the odds last year and I know the team at Virgin Trains will carry on delivering the excellent customer service and innovation that we are famed for. It has been a great ride.”

Chris Gibb said:  “Delivering great customer service truly is a team effort, requiring not only great staff, which we have in spades at Virgin Trains, but also co-operation between the different stakeholders across the industry. I am especially proud of the part I have played in bringing these important individual parties together to deliver improved performance. That's the foundation which great service is built on and I'm confident the team at Virgin Trains will continue to deliver further improvements to the service we provide for our customers.”

ENDS

Labour reshuffle - Eagle gone?

Maria Eagle has been moved from Shadow Transport brief, details of replacement to follow. #labour #reshuffle
— DeHavilland (@DeHavilland) October 7, 2013

Developing...

National Express makes best of bad job

Good news for fans of owner groups that are shadows of their former selves...

Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Berlin Ringbahn. Following on from our recent success in winning two contracts to operate regional rail services in North-Rhine Westphalia, it confirms that our experience as the operator of the UK's leading franchise is recognised internationally.

That would be just the one, single, sole, solitary UK franchise held by National Express would it?

How the mighty have fallen.