Serco announces that it is strengthening the strategic and operational leadership of its UK rail business. The move is being taken as the business prepares for the introduction of the new Caledonian Sleeper train fleet next year.

Peter Strachan (pictured left), previously Managing Director of Caledonian Sleepers, has moved into a new role as Chairman, UK Rail. In this newly created role, Peter will chair the Caledonian Sleeper Board and will continue to chair the Caledonian Sleepers new trains Project Board. He will also become a shareholder representative in Merseyrail, the Joint Venture with Abellio, in which Serco has a 50% shareholding.

Keith Wallace (pictured right) has been appointed Managing Director, Caledonian Sleepers. Keith joined Serco earlier this year and is a Chartered Engineer, with an extensive background in the rail sector. He started his career as a graduate trainee with British Rail and has since held a number of executive level positions including roles as Technical Director, Operations Director and Managing Director for Scott Wilson Railways and Programme Director for Govia Thameslink Railway. He has also provided consultancy services to high profile rail projects such as HS2, and more recently has been supporting Abellio Greater Anglia.

Commenting on the two appointments, Kevin Craven, Serco's Chief Executive Officer, Central Government, said: 'The rail sector is strategically important to Serco. Both Peter and Keith have a great deal of experience and expertise in the rail business and these appointments will strengthen our capabilities in this market. The arrival of the new Caledonian Sleeper rolling stock next year will be a very exciting enhancement of the service that we offer to customers and represents a significant investment for Serco. These leadership changes will ensure that we have the senior management capacity to deliver the new trains and improved service successfully.'

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Serco Group plc published this content on 22 May 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 22 May 2017 15:57:19 UTC.

Original documenthttps://www.serco.com/news/media-releases/2017/serco-strengthens-uk-rail-management-team

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