Sir Moir Lockhead - First Group (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

A well deserved rest. FirstGroup is where it is thanks to him.

[JayMac]

Is it really only 15 years since FirstBus (as was) was formed? Very impressive growth since then.

[inspector_blakey]

Looks like they've found a very high quality replacement - from what I can gather anecdotally it would seem that Tim O'Toole is thought of quite highly on the strength of his time at LUL^▸ (London Underground Ltd).

[andrewr]

Tim O'Toole is a very good operator indeed, and is highly thought of in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), in Europe and in North America, which encompasses First's operations very nicely. While I was working on International Railway Journal it was telling how he was one of the few UK rail and metro bosses that was routinely mentioned by his European counterparts, and I think that's a good omen.

If Tim O'Toole has a free rein at First Group then there's every chance we've a lot to look forward to with FGW^▸ (First Great Western), but given the spending review, possible reform of Network Rail etc, there's a lot up in the air...

Andy

[Chris from Nailsea]

Purely in the interests of continuity, I've merged a few topics here ... while keeping the original headings in the individual posts - as far as possible, obviously. 

[SDS]

Lockjaw worked with a private company using private funds.
As fare as im aware O'Toole has only ever worked for state owned companies or companies financed by public  funds.

Good idea ... I came to the thread thinking that there might be another name in the sequence "Alison Forster, Andrew Haines, Mark Hopwood ...."

What Happened to Mike Carroll and  Chris Kitchen-Smith??

[JayMac]

Is Mike Carroll not still a director with responsibility for the Thames Valley sector?

[ChrisB]

Not listed any longer on their website - and no sightings at Customer Panel meetings either....I fear you're out of date...

[woody]

The latest "Railnews Focus" September, 2010 reports some interesting remarks by the chief Executive of FirstGroup, Moir Lockhead,speaking at FirstGroup^s Aberdeen HQ^▸ (Headquarters) in an informal briefing.Among other comments he says that the present level of expenditure on the railways is unsustainable and sounded a warning that not every train service can be regarded as ringfenced, regardless of its cost
 Interestingly from FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) point of view he also conceded that First had gone too far on Great Western with highdensity Mk3s and an attempt to abolish buffet cars on medium-distance journeys.(An admission that the FGW high density HST^▸ (High Speed Train) refurbs are not really suited to longer journeys).
On Franchising he says that ^First will bid for East Coast when it comes to the market again." as well as other contracts such as West Coast and East Anglia and of course Scotrail when the present contract comes to an end.

[Timmer]

Interestingly from FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) point of view he also conceded that First had gone too far on Great Western with highdensity Mk3s and an attempt to abolish buffet cars on medium-distance journeys.(An admission that the FGW high density HST^▸ (High Speed Train) refurbs are not really suited to longer journeys).

Well that's something that can easily be put right if they wanted to by adding a few more tables in std.

According to Tony Miles in October's edition of Modern Railways, FGW are looking at converting spare buffet cars into std trailers making 2+7s back into 2+8s. This just goes to show what a waste of money adding a buffet serving hatch on some std trailers was when all they needed to do was what GNER^▸ (Great North Eastern Railways) did with their class 91 fleet and reverse the buffet trailer around and change the 1st seating into std. OK not as much seating as a full length coach but a much cheaper option.

[ChrisB]

But FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) franchise commitment was to increase HST^▸ (High Speed Train) seating by 10%....would simply turning said buffets around have achieved this? I doubt it.

Removing the buffets also saved a lot of (expensive) fuel. The cost of putting high-density seating in was a cost of winning the franchise - i.e. unavoidable. So in the long run, they're currently up on saving money.

I believe you're right over bringing the buffets back - there may be some luggage space involved because I doubt they'll reconvert the mini-buffets back to seating...just replace the 1st seating as suggested elsewhere and include some luggage space, as putting windows in the coach casings might be impossible, hence seating the buffet area is difficult.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Rail.co:

FirstGroup name train after Sir Moir Lockhead

Sir Moir Lockhead, former Chief Executive of FirstGroup, was left astounded today after a ScotRail train was named in his honour to mark his achievements after 22 years at the helm of the Aberdeen-based transport operator.

Sir Moir had just attended another train naming at Glasgow Queen Street Station when directed to another platform where, to his complete surprise, he unveiled a train bearing the title ^Sir Moir Lockhead OBE^.

Initially lost for words, he then paid tribute to the quality of staff throughout his time as Chief Executive and said he was both surprised and delighted to receive such a public tribute.

Sir Moir, his wife, Lady Audrey Lockhead, and guests boarded the ^Sir Moir Lockhead OBE^, Class 170 train for afternoon tea and a return trip to Stirling.

Hmm. I'm not sure quite why he was 'left astounded' and 'initially lost for words': it wasn't the first time (if you'll pardon the pun!) that he has been so honoured. I took a couple of photos of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) power car 43160 at Bristol Temple Meads back in January:

[ChrisB]

Errr, and using both "Sir" and "OBE" is incorrect usage of the (same) honour - Ordervof the British Empire. Sir indicates the senior Knight Commander, the OBE is the second lowest level, above MBE.

Having been 'promoted' from one level to another, one should just use the most senior level awarded.

[Chris from Nailsea]

However, Moir Lockhead OBE received his Knighthood in the 2008 Honours List as a Knight Bachelor, not as a Knight of the Order of the British Empire, so he is entitled to use both the 'Sir' and 'OBE'.

From Debretts:

Knighthood does not affect the use of letters already borne, eg if Mr John Brown, CB, CVO, OBE, is created a Knight Bachelor, he becomes Sir John Brown, CB, CVO, OBE.

[ChrisB]

OK, thanks - he's a KB, not a KBE.....