John Armitt: nice work if you can get it!

[Schnellzug]

I see in the News today that Olympic Delivery Authority chair John Armitt, former boss of our friends Railtrack and Network rail, has been honoured with a Knighthood in the New Year Honours thingumijig. So i'm sure you'll join me in raising a glass to the stout fellow.

 

[Old Timer]

Your point being exactly what ?

 

[68000]

Armitt is not exactly a stout fella!

I met Armitt as part of the TPWS project and I found him to be personable and knowledgeable. He is definitely one of the better heads of Railtrack / NR

 

[Schnellzug]

Your point being exactly what ?

Does there have to be an ulterior motive? I just thought that people might wish to offer him their congratulations.

 

[Old Timer]

Does there have to be an ulterior motive? I just thought that people might wish to offer him their congratulations.

I just wondered, as it seems very contrary to your usual position on such matters involving those in the Private sector.

I understand that his honour is related to his many years in the Construction Industry, and especially his involvement with the CTRL.

I actually met John Armitt when he was at Costain and subsequently when he came to Network Rail. He was always a very pleasant and approachable chap, and someone who wanted engineering to be given a higher profile in the business.

We now see the results of him having been followed by someone with no discernible engineering ability or skills other than being a personal friend of Labour, with the ability to extract large remuneration, for the near destruction of the supplier and skills base and the imposition of rule by fear.

 

[Bald Rick]

Cracking bloke, extremely knowledgeable, able to communicate at all levels, and above all fair. Aside from getting CTRL (phase 1) pretty much delivered, he was instrumental in driving the change programme at Network Rail. He was the key figure in dealings with government that helped restore, indeed significantly enhance, the reputation of the rail industry post Hatfield and the Railtrack collapse. Without this, I doubt whether we would now have a major electrification programme underway or be talking seriously about HS2. Oh and he brought the Olympics construction programme in on time.

If all that doesn't deserve a knighthood, then I'm not sure what does.

 

[Hydro]

Does that mean 43062 will need it's nameplates updating?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Does that mean 43062 will need it's nameplates updating?

Why recast the plates? A Sharpie will do.

 

[Hydro]

Why recast the plates? A Sharpie will do.

I'll raid the office cupboard next Friday....

 

[lincolnshire]

John Armitt,s knighthood,

Its only the same as what the Chairman of British Railways Board used to get at the end of his time in charge of a proper joined up railway.
I wonder how much he got paid compared to the BRB Chairman or what Mr. Coucher was paid!, this poor chap now had to accept a lot less for doing the same job,

He did get paid to do the Jobs he has been doing didn,t he? not like some of the people who deserve been recognized for what they do voluntarily and get nothing.

I wonder when I am getting mine , done 43 years service to the railways.