Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has named the final four members of a new government advisory team to shape the future of rail franchising.
The Franchise Advisory Panel will be led by Eurostar chairman Richard Brown, who produced a review into the franchising process following the collapse of the West Coast competition.
The panel has been set up to lend its support and commercial expertise to the Department for Transport as it looks to negotiate contracts for 15 franchises over the next eight years.
New members announced today include Nicola Shaw, chief executive of High Speed 1 Limited, Stephen Paine, managing director, global head of infrastructure and co-head of UK investment banking at UBS Investment bank, Martin Buck, commercial director at Crossrail Limited and Michael Holden, chief executive of Directly Operated Railways and Chairman of East Coast
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We have already laid the foundations for a successful rail franchising system with our comprehensive new schedule but it is also vital we take advantage of industry know-how.
“The talent and expertise of the Franchise Advisory Panel will complement the skills and knowledge already available in the department and ultimately help deliver franchises which will provide real benefits to both passengers and taxpayers.”
New QUANGO?