Press releases

Arriva plc, one of Europe’s largest transport services organisations, has today announced senior appointments within its UK Trains division, in preparation for the start of the new CrossCountry franchise on 11 November 2007.

Andy Cooper has been appointed interim managing director. Andy has extensive industry experience previously holding managing director roles at Anglia Railways and Central Trains. Most recently working as director of Arriva’s CrossCountry mobilisation team, he has an exceptional understanding of the new franchise and Arriva’s plans to develop services. Andy will report to Bob Holland, Arriva’s managing director - UK Rail.

The CrossCountry management team has been further strengthened with the appointment of Dennis Baker as HR director, Catherine Mason as commercial director, Richard Harrison as finance director, Jeremy Higgins as customer service director, Sarah Kendall as interim production director and Richard Lashwood as interim head of operational and community safety.

Bob Holland, Arriva’s managing director – UK Rail, said: “We have a professional management team in place, with the skills and experience to get this important new franchise off to a smooth start.

“I am confident that through their leadership, and the professional team of front line staff transferring to the business, we will be able to take forward our ambitious plans for CrossCountry.”

Recruitment continues for permanent managing directors for CrossCountry and Arriva Trains Wales.  In the interim period, Bob Holland will continue to lead the management team at Arriva Trains Wales. Announcements will be made in due course.

Additional biography details:

• Dennis Baker - Dennis is currently Arriva Trains Wales’ HR director.  In the future he will hold both positions assisted by a head of HR in each business providing increased HR support to both CrossCountry and Arriva Trains Wales. Dennis has extensive industry experience including meeting the challenges presented by the re-mapping of railway franchises.
• Catherine Mason - Catherine has a strong marketing background in UK travel having been national marketing director for Arriva’s bus operations and more recently managing director of Arriva’s operations in the Midlands.  Catherine brings extensive commercial experience after successfully leading Arriva’s awarding winning ‘Going your way’ campaign and previously holding senior roles with Smithkline Beecham with responsibility for leading international brands.
• Richard Harrison - Richard joins Arriva having been finance director of Virgin’s CrossCountry operation. Richard’s skills will help the business through a significant investment programme, effective financial planning, and the task of joining CrossCountry and some Central Trains services to create a new business.
• Jeremy Higgins -. Jeremy held the role of customer service director of Virgin’s CrossCountry operation. Jeremy’s passion for excellent service matches Arriva’s values and he will provide important continuity for people in key front line jobs transferring to the new CrossCountry franchise.
• Sarah Kendall - Sarah will be responsible for operations and fleet. Sarah was previously bid director for Arriva’s new CrossCountry franchise bid and has a strong operational background both on the mainline railway and in a number of key roles at Eurotunnel. A permanent appointment for the role will be confirmed in due course.
• Richard Lashwood - Richard has strong safety credentials in railway management and as a professional safety advisor to a range of industries. Richard led Arriva’s work to secure the HMRI Safety Certificate for CrossCountry. A permanent appointment for the role will be confirmed in due course.

CrossCountry Franchise Information

The CrossCountry network is the most extensive rail franchise in the UK. Stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance, and from Stansted to Cardiff, it covers around 1,500 route miles and calls at over 100 stations.

Arriva will run the franchise under a new CrossCountry brand and livery. The centre of operations will be in Birmingham, at the heart of the network and the largest city served by it.

Arriva’s successful bid for the franchise featured the following benefits for travellers which will be introduced over the course of the franchise:

• 35 per cent increase in seating capacity in critical evening peak on principal routes by June 2009
• at-seat catering on all routes, for all passengers, not just First Class
• radical improvements in ticketing and reservation booking, including home printing of tickets and tickets by mobile phone, with discounted tickets available much closer to the start of travel
• investment in improved rolling stock, with all other trains refurbished to the standard of the popular Voyagers
• the reintroduction of HSTs to provide 550-seat trains on busy routes
• Wi-Fi available to all Voyager and HST passengers, free in First Class.