This from the Yorkshire Post...
"Engineering services group Renew Holdings said the chief executive of transport group Go-Ahead has joined the group.
"David Brown has joined Leeds-based Renew as a non-executive director with immediate effect."
This from Go-Ahead...
After an open competition, Patrick Verwer, currently Go-Ahead's Managing Director – Rail Development, has been appointed as Managing Director of London Midland.
David Brown, Go-Ahead's Group Chief Executive said:
"Patrick Verwer has huge experience, first class management skills, and a strong track record of delivery. He is the right person to drive through further transformation in the London Midland franchise.
"We have already seen a range of service and performance improvements in this franchise. I know that Patrick, and the excellent team in place at London Midland, will work hard to build on these achievements in order to offer the best possible service to passengers."
Patrick Verwer, who will take up the post at the beginning of the new year, said:
"I am delighted to be appointed. The London Midland franchise is vital to the passengers it serves and I look forward to helping it grow and to build on the success that has already been achieved."
- Ends -
UPDATE: This from Alphabetti Spaghetti...
What's going on?
First Verster at NR's LNE and now Verwer at LM?
Is this a planned industry assault on the 'TUV' pages of my address book?
An interesting challenge for Keith Ludeman, currently Chief Executive of Go-Ahead.
Regular Eye readers will recollect that Network Rail announced in February that the Permataned one would be joining Network Rail's board, as a non-Exec, upon his retirement from Go-Ahead in July of this year.
Welcoming the appointment NR Chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said:
"Keith Ludeman brings to Network Rail decades of experience of leadership in Britain’s transport industry. The addition of him to the board will provide first-hand, passenger-focused expertise which will help Network Rail on its journey to becoming ever more responsive to its customers and passengers."
Meanwhile, on today's railway, Go-Ahead franchise London Midland has announced its intention to slash ticket office opening-hours at 87 stations, generating predictable fury from the aforementioned 'customers and passengers'.
Indeed Anthony Smith of Passenger Focus issued the following words on the proposed closures today:
“Times are difficult and it’s important that train companies make best use of their resources. London Midland has done a good job in talking to its passengers about its plans but the message back is clear. Passengers were almost unanimous in their request for staff at the station, raising concerns about ticket machines and the need for staff for advice and assistance on ticket sales.
“We fear these plans will lead to passengers paying more for their tickets than they should. Ticket vending machines are important, but while they don’t offer all ticket types or provide advice to ensure passengers get the cheapest fares, there will be a need for station staff.
“Finally, passengers want staff on hand for help on the station and for security reasons. For all these reasons we’re calling on London Midland to address the concerns passengers raised.”
Eye looks forward to seeing just how 'passenger focused and responsive to customers' NR's new board member can be!
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