- Network Rail Southern region have confirmed the appointment of Shaun King as route director, Sussex.
- Several members of the new regional leadership team which goes live today (Monday 16 September) have also been appointed.
Appointment follows the announcement earlier this year of Network Rail plans to put passengers and freight users first
Shaun has worked in the rail industry since 1987 in a variety of roles including customer service, operations and maintenance and in leadership roles. He has worked for train operators, on rail franchising and his most recent role was Route Programme Director Works Delivery for the South East route. Shaun will also be interim Route Director, Kent from 16 September until Fiona Taylor joins the team on 11 November.
It follows the announcement earlier this year of Network Rail’s plans to put passengers and freight users first, recognising the need to get closer and be more responsive to our customers and local stakeholders.
14 new routes are also live, taking responsibility for operations, maintenance and minor renewals in their respective areas, and managing the day-to-day delivery of train performance and relationships with their local train operating companies.
These appointments are part of phase one of the Putting Passengers First programme, providing the framework for further phased changes to be introduced through to summer 2020, subject to consultation.
John Halsall, managing director, Southern region said: “We have created the Southern region to deliver excellent customer service every day by running safe and efficient train services for passengers and freight customers.
“We help get thousands of commuters to work every day, bring people closer to their families and support businesses across our network and beyond. Passengers First gives us the opportunity to do all this even more effectively, bringing us closer to our customers and making us more responsive to what they want.
“I am looking forward to working with this extremely talented and committed leadership team as we continue our journey to put passengers and freight customers first.”
Shaun King, route director, Sussex said: “Sussex is one of the busiest and most congested routes in the country and I look forward to supporting the team in delivering a better railway for passengers.
“Putting passengers first isn’t all about delivering large-scale infrastructure projects and railway improvements. It’s doing what we can to make journeys easier and more convenient for the thousands of travellers who use the railway in Sussex and London every day.”
