West Midlands Trains appoints new Managing Director

Friday, 4 March 2022

West Midlands Trains (WMT) has today announced the appointment of a new Managing Director.

Ian McConnell - currently Chief Operating Officer at ScotRail - will join West Midlands Trains during April, once he has ensured ScotRail is successfully handed over to the new public body, Scottish Rail Holdings.

Ian has considerable experience and expertise within the rail sector, having previously been Franchise & Programmes Director at Greater Anglia and prior to that undertaking several project and leadership roles at ScotRail and London Overground.

Ian said: “I’m delighted to be joining the West Midlands Trains team at such an exciting time, with the introduction of a new train fleet and the Commonwealth Games taking place in the region later this year.”

Ian takes over from Julian Edwards, who is stepping back from the role due to a serious illness within his family. Julian will remain with Abellio UK, who run West Midlands Trains, under a National Rail Contract.

Dominic Booth, Managing Director, Abellio UK said:

“I am really excited to welcome Ian to West Midlands Trains. 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.”

“I would also like to thank Julian for his contributions leading West Midlands Trains over the last two years. He 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. Julian has worked with Abellio for over 10 years and has been at the very heart of its growth and success. 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."

About West Midlands Trains

For further information on this release, email [email protected]

West Midlands Trains operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services.

• London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.

• West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.

For more information on these services visit westmidlandsrailway.co.uk or londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk

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