Mary Creagh is the MP for Wakefield.
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.
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!
Flabber is increasingly ghasted today!
Speechless!
So Baroness Kramer (LibDem) takes Tory ministerial role.
Key question - who gets HS2?
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
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.
