Govia have confirmed the senior executive team for London Midland, the new business that will operate the West Midlands rail franchise from 11 November 2007.

The announcement follows the appointment of Steve Banaghan as Managing Director on 1 October.

The senior executive team is as follows:

• Andy Thomas - Operations Director
• Julian Edwards - Finance Director
• Alex Hynes - Commercial Director
• John Barlass - Engineering Director
• Mike Haigh - Business Integration Director
• Rachel Webster - Head of Communications
• Paul Frost - Professional Head of Safety and Acting Head of Safety and Environment

Paul Holt, Human Resources Director of Central Trains, will take the role of Head of Human Resources on an interim basis, beyond his normal retirement date, while a permanent appointment is sought.

Tom Smith, Managing Director – Rail Development, Govia said: “We are delighted to have assembled such a capable and experienced team to support Steve in turning our vision for London Midland into a reality.  We had a strong field to select from for every position and those we have appointed have all proved themselves to be able and dynamic - exactly the qualities we want for London Midland.”

Steve Banaghan, the Managing Director-designate of London Midland said: “I am really excited at the prospect of launching a new company in a new franchise with these colleagues around me.  We have an excellent mix of skills and experience to meet the challenges ahead.”

London Midland Senior Executive Team biographies

Andy Thomas, Operations Director

Andy has worked in the rail industry since 1980, working primarily in Scotland. Most recently he was ScotRail’s Divisional Operations Manager, Network Service, responsible for ScotRail’s train plan in Central, East and West of Scotland. He joined Central Trains as Operations Director in January 2005.

Julian Edwards, Finance Director

Julian was Finance Director at Central Trains from February 2004 to January 2007, before leading National Express’s winning bid for the Intercity East Coast franchise.  Before 2004, he was Finance Director for Wessex Trains and Financial Controller for Wales and Borders/Wessex Trains. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Alex Hynes, Commercial Director

Alex has nine years’ experience of the passenger rail industry. He started his career as a consultant with Halcrow Fox, before joining the Office of Rail Regulation as a senior economist. In 2005, Alex joined Govia as Strategic Planning Manager. He was a member of the winning Integrated Kent Franchise bid team, and led Govia’s customer service and commercial strategy development for the West Midlands franchise. Alex has been leading the mobilisation work in these areas since Govia won the bid.  

John Barlass, Engineering Director

John is an experienced chartered engineer, with a career spanning  35 years. He has held a number of senior positions within the UK rail industry, including Director, Rail Maintenance for Hitachi Europe Ltd, and Director, West Coast Traincare for Alstom Transport Maintenance (UK). He has been Fleet and Engineering Director for Central Trains since April 2004.

Mike Haigh, Business Integration Director

Mike joined the rail industry in 1980 as a British Rail management trainee. His career has included spells as a Rolling Stock Manager and Account Manager for Centro and Central Trains. He was appointed Commercial Director for Central Trains in 2001 and is currently Business Development Director and Deputy Managing Director at Central Trains.

Rachel Webster, Head of Communications

Rachel has been Head of Communications at Central Trains for three years. She was previously Head of Communications at Trent Strategic Health Authority and before that worked in the communications team at Nottinghamshire County Council. She has also worked as a freelance journalist, contributing to BBC regional radio and regional newspapers.

Paul Frost, Professional Head of Safety and Acting Head of Safety and Environment

Paul has worked in the rail industry since 1980. He is a former train driver, train driver instructor and driver manager. Formerly Head of Operational Safety for First Northwestern Trains, Paul was appointed Head of Safety for Central Trains in July 2005.