6 October 2021
Since appointment as CEO of Rail Operations UK Ltd in 2018, Karl Watts’ role has encompassed three key responsibilities: corporate governance, strategic direction and management of major projects.
Karl introduced the Group’s ‘Shaping the Future’ initiative in early 2021, and it has become increasingly clear through this work that the strategic direction aspect of Karl’s role needs to be enhanced to encompass a number of hugely important industry topics including rail reform, class 93 introduction, high speed freight and industry decarbonisation. Karl’s role in representing the group’s interests and including these as part of the hugely important Great British Railways White Paper outputs drives a requirement for change within the Group.
In order to facilitate the time required to drive these programmes forward, engage the industry and more importantly, significantly grow the business, Karl will be taking on a new role as Group President. As group Chief Operating Officer, Dave Burley will be taking responsibility of Group corporate governance, the day to day operations of the three trading companies ROG, Traxion and Orion, as well as the implementation of major projects.
Furthermore our Chairman, Neil Bennett will lead our strategic relationships with the ROSCOs using his experience to ensure we get the support that our leased assets need to deliver our operational requirements.