First Great Western management team

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Here they are (taken from the link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=6

The team at First Great Western is led by:

Alison Forster - Managing Director
Glenda Lamont - Customer Services Director
Tom Stables - Commercial Director
Ben Caswell - Finance Director
Graham Boot-Handford - Engineering Director
Kevin Gale - Trains Director
Dawn Murphy - Interim Director of Human Resources
Richard Campbell - Interim Marketing Director
Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM - Non Executive Chairman

[grahame]

I've seen "Dean Finch" mentioned and copied on correspondence. Where does he fit in?

[Lee]

Here is a link with details of FirstGroup's board , which includes Dean Finch , who is Finance Director.
http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/investor/board.php

[duncanhames]

I saw both Glenda Lamont and Andrew Griffiths at the Bradford on Avon 150th celebrations today.
She gave a short speech, promising re-furbished trains and a new waiting room with disabled access to the Bath-bound side of the station, she also remarked on how nice it was at this time to meet a crowd of smiling faces!
When I arrived, Andrew Griffiths (should be added to the list above) was being hand-bagged chastised by a Bradford lady for his 'glib' and 'dismissive' remarks on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) during the More Train Less Strain protest about how standing on trains is something people have to expect these days. I pointed out to him that being put onto coaches because you can't even board the trains is rather more serious, but he claimed that sort of thing should now be over... so that's all right then?!
Duncan

[Lee]

Andrew Griffiths (should be added to the list above)

Good point , Duncan. Andrew Griffiths is Regional Manager of the First Great Western Severn & Solent area , for those who didnt know already.

[Jim]

. I pointed out to him that being put onto coaches because you can't even board the trains is rather more serious, but he claimed that sort of thing should now be over... so that's all right then?!
Duncan

Yes, I have been rather disapoiuinted to see the need to have TWO coaches on Stand-by at Trowbridge

[SusanW]

Another important bod is Moir Lockhead, head of FirstGroup, as you've mentioned before - if you copy him in on any complaints or communication with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) it makes things speed up a little at FGW! For e-mail addresses they are all:

firstname.surname@firstgroup.com

but don't expect direct replies.

Susan

[martyjon]

I have heard that Mike Carroll has returned or is returning to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) as route director for the Thames Valley area.

For those who dont know who Mike Carroll is he was the MD of FGW before the present incumbent and her predessesor Chris Kitchen-Smith.



 

[Timmer]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/transport/Story/0,,2164195,00.html

At last some big rail news on what has been a fairly quiet week.

Report in today's Guardian on quite a major reorganisation of management at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) by Firstgroup. Long overdue in my opinion. Don't fret though as Alison still gets to play with her beloved HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) but hands day to day control of the problem parts of the franchise namely ex-Thames and Wessex franchises to others to sort out. Good to see Mike Carroll back at GW^▸ (Great Western). All goes to show that First were way to ambitious in thinking they could easily merge three franchises into one under one managing director. Wonder if the first thing to happen would be for Thames and Wessex operations to move out of Swindon? I doubt it but you never know.

The most interesting move by First is the taking FGW under its wing along with its other rail franchises. Previously FGW was the only franchise run independently of First central control which shows at last they are taking things going on down here seriously.

These are only the highlights. There are also changes on the Western region of Network rail so the article is well worth a read. Lets see if any of these changes make any difference to services in the coming months. May be one reason why we are still to see any draft timetables for December making an appearance.

[martyjon]

Someones woken up at last :-

I broke the news of Mike Carroll's return to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) in the post on July 20th as the link below shows.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=447.0

[Rugrat]

Alison will be giving a presentation at the Passenger Focus meeting in the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel on the afternoon of Tuesday, 11 September. See the agenda at http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/document-search/default.asp?keywords=&topic=&year=&type=592&sdocsearch.x=15&sdocsearch.y=4

[Lee]

Here is a further view on the shake - up (link below.)
http://ihatefirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-change-at-top.html

[12hoursunday]

. Good to see Mike Carroll back at GW^▸ (Great Western).

Never really left though. He was MD of FirstInfo which is the call centre at Plymouth.

The most interesting move by First is the taking FGW^▸ (First Great Western) under its wing along with its other rail franchises. Previously FGW was the only franchise run independently of First central control which shows at last they are taking things going on down here seriously.

Senior Management have always had to Answer to the First head of rail. Not much change there then except two more senior managers to oversee the operation!

[grahame]

Under the new arrangements at FGW^▸ (First Great Western), Andrew Haines is the Chief Operating Officer while maintaining responsibility for First's Rail Group as well "one busy man".

Three new roles / appointments - route directors who will "Champion routes / act as lightning conductors, anticipating and reacting to issues before they surface".

John Curley - West
Mike Carroll - London and Thames Valley
t.b.a. - High Speed Services

These roles are being initially filled by very senior people to establish the positions and see how they go; the initial appointments are not seen as long term. I understand that it was John Curley who set up the hourly Cardiff - Portsmouth in the first place.

[Timmer]

I understand that it was John Curley who set up the hourly Cardiff - Portsmouth in the first place.

I remember it well, May 1988 when we said farewell to the 33s and Mk1 coaching stock with 155s taking over under the EXPRESS branding 'to compliment the existing IC^▸ (Inter City) network'. 155s lasted about 3-4 years before they were split to become 153s and 158s taking over the route. At the time it was real investment on the route. I think its long overdue for some new investment not just tarting up the existing 158s.