UK: ScotRail Chief Operating Officer Ian McConnell is to become Managing Director of West Midlands Trains in April, once ScotRail has been transferred from Abellio to public body Scottish Rail Holdings.
McConnell was previously Franchise & Programmes Director at Greater Anglia, and prior to that held several project and leadership roles at ScotRail and London Overground.
‘He brings a wealth of leadership experience to this role and has the skills, determination, and experience needed to lead West Midlands Trains as it seeks to recover from the pandemic’, said Abellio UK Managing Director Dominic Booth on March 4.
McConnell will succeed Julian Edwards, who is stepping back from the WMT Managing Director role because of a serious illness in his family. Edwards will remain with Abellio UK.
Edwards ‘has helped navigate the business through an exceptionally challenging period during the pandemic, also overseeing a successful transition to our new National Rail Contract and leaves West Midlands Trains in a much better place’, said Booth.
‘I am delighted to welcome him back to the group at a critical time as we continue to help shape the future direction of our transport business across rail, bus and ancillary services.’
