GTR appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s largest rail franchise, has appointed Nick Brown (pictured) as its new Chief Operating Officer, it was announced today (Monday 26 September).

Mr Brown, age 56, will join GTR in November to replace Dyan Crowther who is leaving after two years with the train operator to become the new CEO of HS1 Ltd (High Speed 1). He will join the Board of GTR Ltd and be a member of the GTR Executive Team, reporting to Charles Horton, CEO of GTR.

Mr Brown is a highly experienced transport professional with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry. He has a strong operational and commercial background in the public and private sectors and has led businesses in rail and bus, both in the UK and internationally. He was until recently Managing Director, London Underground and Rail for Transport for London.

Commenting, Charles Horton, Chief Executive of GTR, said:

"We're delighted that Nick is joining GTR. He has a first class pedigree in the transport industry, a wealth of experience and a strong track record of leading businesses in the rail and bus sectors. Nick's broad experience and intimate knowledge of the sector makes him ideally placed to help us achieve our business goals and deliver a better railway and excellent service for our customers going forward. I'm looking forward to him coming on board and I know he'll add real value to the business.

“Dyan carries with her into her new venture with HS1 my warmest congratulations and grateful thanks for her significant contribution to GTR over these past two years.”

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For more information email press.office@gtrailway.com or call
• Southern and Gatwick Express press office: 0203 750 2030
• Thameslink and Great Northern press office: 0203 750 2031

Note to Editors
Nick Brown has a career spanning 35 years in the transport sector joining British Rail from University in 1981, progressing to senior leadership roles. After privatisation he was with National Express Group PLC (NE) from 1996 to 2005 becoming successively Managing Director of Midland Mainline, Central Trains, Chief Executive of NE’s bus division and then MD of Scotrail and Divisional Director North.

In 2005 he joined Serco Group plc becoming Chief Executive for the Transport & Middle East Division leading the Group’s UK rail franchises, in joint venture with Abellio, DLR, the establishment and operation of the Dubai Metro and subsequently leading global strategy and business development for transport.

Nick joined Transport for London in late 2014 as interim Chief Operating Officer of London Underground and succeeded Mike Brown as Managing Director of London Underground and Rail in July 2015, leaving in spring this year. He led the organisation through a substantial period of change delivering the modernisation of the station customer service offering, improving service reliability to exceed the target set by the Mayor, concluding the negotiations to secure the start of Night Tube services and establishing the future direction of the New Tube for London investment programme.

Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
• Thameslink – services between Bedford and Brighton, Luton/St Albans and Sutton, Wimbledon and Sevenoaks
• Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
• Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
• Gatwick Express – Fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

GTR is now the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff: GTR carries about 326 million passenger journeys per year, employs around 6,500 people and generates annual passenger revenues of approximately £1.3bn.

The GTR investment programme for stations includes funding for more CCTV, toilet refurbishments, new retail facilities, help points and car park improvements – as well as plans for increased motorcycle storage and improved transport integration.
southernrailway.com, gatwickexpress.com, thameslinkrailway.com greatnorthernrail.com