Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has appointed Paul Groves as its new Train Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern. Paul joined the company in October and has already begun familiarising himself with the business and its operations.
He brings extensive experience in the rail industry, having started his career as a driver with Heathrow Express before moving into control room and management positions. Prior to joining GTR, Paul worked at GTR’s sister company, GTS Rail, where he served as Director of Driver Operations and Safety for the Elizabeth Line.
During his time on the Elizabeth Line, Paul led the training and delivery of a new fleet, introduced European Train Control System (ETCS) and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling, and oversaw one of the largest driver recruitment campaigns in the UK. His leadership contributed to the Elizabeth Line winning multiple awards, including Operator of the Year at the 2023 and 2024 National Transport Awards. He is also known for building strong relationships with regulatory bodies and trade unions.
Paul succeeds Brian Husbands, who has taken up the role of Train Services Director for Southern and Gatwick Express.
GTR’s Chief Operating Officer, John Whitehurst, said:
“Paul’s longstanding railway career is a fantastic addition to my team and the wider business. I’m confident Paul’s extensive knowledge of running operations on the Elizabeth Line will play an important part in GTR’s future success, bringing dynamic thinking and a fresh perspective to help us improve our services for our customers. I look forward to working with Paul on some exciting projects.”
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Groves said:
“It’s a privilege to be part of the UK’s biggest rail operator. I’ve already immersed myself in understanding the network in greater depth and have been actively visiting depots to connect with our dedicated teams who work so hard to deliver a safe and reliable service. I’m eager to collaborate with our industry partners and continue pushing ourselves to provide the best possible experience for the thousands of customers who travel with us daily.”
