Andrew Haines retiring as Network Rail CEO

[MalaiseForever]

Andrew Haines has announced his retirement in October.

Who will be the next CEO of NR I wonder?

See NR announcement and quote:

“Sir Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, has advised the Board that he has decided to retire from the company in October 2025.” -

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/press-release

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

NR will be "abolished" by the GBR legislation, but we don't know exactly what form the new GBR will take.
Any new CEO will essentially be an interim appointment until the new legislation takes effect (2027?).
Andrew himself could probably pick a top GBR/DfT job if he wishes to remain active in the industry, or be a senior advisor/consultant to the government.
Before NR he was CEO of the CAA and lived through the volcanic ash cloud disruption, so has wide experience and opportunities outside rail.

 

[MalaiseForever]

NR will be "abolished" by the GBR legislation, but we don't know exactly what form the new GBR will take.
Any new CEO will essentially be an interim appointment until the new legislation takes effect (2027?).
Andrew himself could probably pick a top GBR/DfT job if he wishes to remain active in the industry, or be a senior advisor/consultant to the government.
Before NR he was CEO of the CAA and lived through the volcanic ash cloud disruption, so has wide experience and opportunities outside rail.

I don’t expect him to taking up another significant role as this is billed as a retirement.

 

[Horizon22]

I don’t expect him to taking up another significant role as this is billed as a retirement.

He's 60 now, so probably true although he'd probably still be available for consultancy if he so wishes, especially with the transition to GBR.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

He's 60 now, so probably true although he'd probably still be available for consultancy if he so wishes, especially with the transition to GBR.

Peter (Lord) Hendy, former NR chair, is a good deal older than that at 72 and as Rail Minister is essentially bringing GBR into existence for DfT (with help from people like Andrew).
John Armitt, another former chair of Network Rail, is now chair of the National Infrastructure Commission at 79.

 

[WAB]

I understand there has been a bit of a reshuffle at the top.

Expect a lot more of this at Executive and director level as reorganisation continues.

 

[MalaiseForever]

I understand there has been a bit of a reshuffle at the top.

Expect a lot more of this at Executive and director level as reorganisation continues.

What sort of reshuffle at the top? Nothing has been communicated internally.

 

[The Planner]

What sort of reshuffle at the top? Nothing has been communicated internally.

Indeed, and the internal NR grapevine is normally pretty good.

 

[Bald Rick]

I understand there has been a bit of a reshuffle at the top.

Expect a lot more of this at Executive and director level as reorganisation continues.

What sort of reshuffle at the top? Nothing has been communicated internally.

Indeed, and the internal NR grapevine is normally pretty good.

Suspect @WAB is referring to the changes in Eastern, Southern and NW&C Regions, which were announced months ago, but only took effect last week.

 

[MalaiseForever]

Suspect @WAB is referring to the changes in Eastern, Southern and NW&C Regions, which were announced months ago, but only took effect last week.

Fair enough - like you say, old news! Already met the new Regional Managing Director for NWC.

 

[3141]

Peter (Lord) Hendy, former NR chair, is a good deal older than that at 72 and as Rail Minister is essentially bringing GBR into existence for DfT (with help from people like Andrew).
John Armitt, another former chair of Network Rail, is now chair of the National Infrastructure Commission at 79.

People differ from one another. Some want to go on, others may prefer to retire as soon as they can. There may be personal considerations we don't know about. Andrew might feel that combining what in effect are two jobs - Chief Exec of NR and implementing the creation of GBR - is something he doesn't want to be committed to till he's 62 or 63 or whenever it happens, and the second one does need someone committed to it so that it's a success. No longer having executive responsibility but being available as an adviser may be an attractive and useful alternative.

 

[lordbusiness]

I must admit I'm quite surprised as I would have thought he would a shoe-in for the top job at GBR but then again, he'll have a good pension to sit back on so why bother!

I only met him twice, once at a charity event at Liverpool Street and when he was the keynote speaker at an industry conference about 5-6 years ago when he harangued the assembled minions from NR, TOCs and BTP about improving response to stranded trains and 'putting the needs of passengers first' when it came to stranded train incidents.

That went really well didn't it?