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Who is going where: top appointments in the global rail industry.
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
UK: Dave Calfe has been elected as General Secretary of train drivers’ union ASLEF, succeeding Mick Whelan who is stepping down after being in the role since 2011.
Castex predicts ‘the mother of all battles’ to fund French rail infrastructure as he takes over at SNCF
FRANCE: Former Prime Minister and RATP Chief Executive Jean Castex promised to ‘fix the foundations’ of SNCF as he was confirmed in the role of President of the national railway holding group.
Law firm appoints former Elizabeth Line MD as rail sector adviser
UK: Law firm Hugh James has appointed Mike Bagshaw, former Managing Director of London commuter train operator MTR Elizabeth Line, as a strategic advisor to its rail sector team.
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
UK rail expertise is in demand worldwide, says RIA Exports Leadership Group
Eddie Dempsey becomes RMT General Secretary
Rob Whyte appointed Managing Director for Alstom UK & Ireland