GBR Anglia has appointed Alice Shimali as its new Communications Director as the organisation continues to build its senior leadership team ahead of the transition to Great British Railways.
Shimali, who was previously Head of Communications at c2c, took up the new role on 3 August and will lead communications across the integrated railway, which brings together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a unified leadership structure.
The appointment represents another step in the development of GBR Anglia following the latest round of recruitment to its Senior Leadership Team.
In her new position, Shimali will oversee internal communications, media, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and customer engagement, bringing the functions together under a more coordinated approach.
Her responsibilities will include supporting GBR Anglia’s business priorities, managing its reputation and ensuring consistent communication as the organisation moves towards the establishment of Great British Railways.
Shimali brings ten years of rail industry experience to the role.
She joined c2c as Head of Communications in 2022, leading communications programmes and developing relationships with organisations across the operator’s network, including Essex Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, Southend United and community and charity partners.
She also led colleague engagement initiatives during her four years with the operator.
Before joining c2c, Shimali spent five years at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), latterly as Senior Public Relations Manager. During that period, she led the operator’s PR function through the Covid-19 pandemic and worked on a series of national communications campaigns.
Rob Mullen, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at GBR Anglia, said: “Alice brings a strong track record of delivering effective communications campaigns and colleague engagement programmes, building trusted relationships, and supporting strategic objectives across the sector.
“Our communications function will play a central ambassadorial role in ensuring GBR Anglia – and our transition to Great British Railways – is a genuine success, and I look forward to working with Alice and her wider communications team as we move forward in this exciting new era for the railway.”
Shimali said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be appointed Communications Director at GBR Anglia at what is a pivotal moment for Anglia and the wider rail industry.
“Our move towards Great British Railways represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how we communicate, collaborate and serve the communities we proudly support and serve every day.
“I am excited to build on the strong foundations already in place, strengthening and enhancing our relationships with colleagues, customers, partners and stakeholders across the Anglia route.”
GBR Anglia is one of the emerging integrated railway structures being developed ahead of Great British Railways. By bringing infrastructure and train operations under closer leadership, the model is intended to improve coordination between track and train and create clearer accountability for railway performance and passenger services across the region.
