Denise Wetton has been appointed as Integrated Managing Director for Great British Railways (GBR) West Midlands, taking on a key leadership role as the Government progresses plans to bring track and train operations together under a single organisation.
Wetton, who previously served as Route Director for Network Rail’s Central Route, will lead the integration of infrastructure and train operations across the region as part of the transition to Great British Railways.
GBR West Midlands becomes the latest integrated railway to be established, joining GBR South Eastern, GBR South Western and GBR Anglia.
Leading track and train integration
The new role will see Wetton oversee the closer alignment of infrastructure management and train operations, with the aim of improving collaboration, reducing delays and delivering a more reliable railway for passengers and freight customers.
The integrated model is expected to enable quicker operational decision-making and improve maintenance planning, including greater daytime access for infrastructure work and the use of on-train monitoring technology to identify track defects more rapidly.
Denise Wetton said: “This is an exciting time where we can really start to bring track and train together, building on past successes for an even better future.
“We will create a railway that meets the needs of the communities we serve, and a railway that we and our customers can be proud of.
“Great British Railways is a once in a generation opportunity to improve performance on the railway and deliver a better railway for everyone. The hard work starts now, and I am excited to get started.”
Step towards Great British Railways
The appointment marks another milestone in the Government’s programme of rail reform ahead of the formal establishment of Great British Railways, which will bring together responsibility for infrastructure and passenger services under a single guiding organisation.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Denise’s appointment marks an important step towards Great British Railways and the simpler, more joined-up railway it will deliver.
“By bringing track and train closer together, we can improve reliability, deliver better value for taxpayers, and build a railway that has passengers and freight at its heart. I look forward to working with her and her team at GBR West Midlands to realise the benefits this approach will bring to deliver growth, jobs and homes across the region.”
Building on collaborative working
During her time leading Network Rail’s Central Route, Wetton worked closely with train operators and regional authorities to improve performance and strengthen collaboration across the railway.
Jake Kelly, Managing Director for Network Rail’s North West & Central Region, said: “Denise’s appointment as Integrated Managing Director for GBR West Midlands is a major step forward as we move towards Great British Railways.
“Since becoming Route Director for Central Route, she has championed closer working with train operators and Mayoral Combined Authority partners to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for passengers.
“In this new role, bringing track and train together across the West Midlands, Denise is perfectly placed to build on that momentum and drive even greater improvements for the people and communities we are proud to serve.”
The appointment is the latest step in the phased introduction of Great British Railways’ integrated operating model, with regional leadership teams being established ahead of the wider structural reforms intended to create a more joined-up, accountable railway.
