NEW CHAIRS OF NETWORK RAIL AND DFTO NAMED

LONDON, Jan. 12 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Secretary of State appoints new chairs of Network Rail and DFTO at pivotal time for industry * appointees will draw on their significant industry experience to deliver for passengers * thismarksnext chapterfor railwayasgovernment moves closer to establishment of Great British Railways

Two key rail leaders have been appointedto oversee the railways at a monumental time for the industry today (12 January 2026).

Richard George has been appointed Chair of Network Rail,the public body that owns,operates, maintains and develops Britain's railway infrastructure.

Sir Andrew Haines will becomeChairofDepartment for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), the government bodybringing all currently privately-owned trainservicesinto public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).

Withsignificant experienceinthe rail industry, both appointees will support the government's missionto bringtogether track and train - delivering a better service for passengers.

Richard has 45 yearsof experienceoperatingat the most senior level in the UK transportindustry andis the current chair of DFTO. His extensive career includes roles as Managing Director of Great Western Trains and HS1 Project Director for Eurostar, as well as an advisor to DfT on matters relating to rail performance and investment in the north of England. Prior to privatisation, Richard had 20 years of railway management experience with British Rail.

Sir Andrew hasoverseen rail and transport at the highest level, most recently as CEO of Network Rail between 2018 and 2025, where hemaintaineda strong focus on putting passengers first and driving improved performance.Prior to this, Sir Andrew had a wide-ranging career in the rail industry,including roles as Managing Director ofSouthWestTrains and Managing Director of the Rail Division for First Group plc.

Their new positions will take effecton 2 February 2026.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

With legislation now making its way through Parliament, we're making good progress with our ambitious programme of rail reform. WhenGreat British Railways is established, it will help us to deliver a network which is run for the public, owned by the public.

Richard and Sir Andrew both bring a wealth of experience, helping to improve passenger experienceand operational performance, supporting the integration of ourrailwaysandbuildingtowards the world-class railway we will see under Great British Railways.

I'dlike to thankMike Putnam for his workoverseeingNetwork Railat this pivotal time.I'mpleased we will continue to benefitfrom his knowledge and skills as he remains part of the Network Rail board.

Sir Andrew Haines said:

I am delighted to be joining DFTO at this pivotal time, as it focuses on its mission of successfully bringing more services into public ownership, improving passengerexperienceand helping create Great British Railways.

I look forward to working closely with so many talented colleagues from across the publicly owned train operating companies, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the wider rail industry.

Richard Georgesaid:

I am delighted and honoured to be appointed Chair of Network Rail. The rail reform journey we are on towards the creation of Great BritishRailways isan exciting one with changes across all railway organisations, including Network Rail, as we work to create an integrated railway fit for the 21st century.

But those changes must never be at the expense of safety and operational performance, and thewhole systemrelies on Network Rail to deliver that. I am excited to be a part of this, leading Network Rail, alongside DFTO and thepublicly-ownedtrain operators, to improve performance on the railway and drive rail reform.

The new appointments comeas legislation toestablishGreat British Railways goes through Parliament, marking the next phase of the Government's bold rail reforms. Great British Railways will build a simpler, more unified railway that delivers reliable,safeand more affordable journeys.

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