The Department for Transport (DfT) has today (Monday 18 March) announced that Alex Hynes will take up the role of Director General, Rail Services, on 15 April 2024. Alex is set to join the DfT on a two-year secondment from his current position as Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway.
In his current role, Alex has successfully led the Scotland’s Railway team, which has been accountable for devolving more responsibility for rail in Scotland, while working effectively with partners Transport Scotland and ScotRail to grow collaboration for the benefit of rail users across the country.
Commenting on his appointment, Alex said; “I am delighted to have the opportunity to undertake the role of Director General Rail Services within the Department for Transport.
“Our railways play a vital role connecting people right across the country and I look forward to working closely with DfT colleagues to help industry deliver the services that passengers rightly expect, while laying the track for a simpler, more effective rail system.
“One of my primary objectives in my current role has been to deliver a better, safer and more reliable railway for our passengers and our staff across the country. I am proud that over the past five years Scotland’s Railway has become more efficient and improved the reliability of train services for our customers. We have redeveloped Glasgow Queen Street station, opened new freight facilities, and delivered a programme of electrification, which has enabled ScotRail to transform the quality of service to passengers on those routes.
“We have brought track and train closer together and the relationship between Scottish Rail Holdings, Network Rail and Transport Scotland has developed a clear route map for the future of rail in Scotland.
“We have also connected more of our local communities to the rail network. We have made the railway safer through our commitment to getting everyone home safe every day, and we have undertaken a huge amount of work to make rail more accessible, which I have no doubt will continue to be the focus for Scotland’s Railway.
“I would like to thank the team at Scotland’s Railway for their support over the past seven years and I look forward to watching your continued success.”
Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, commented: “I am so pleased for Alex and Britain’s Railways.
“Alex’s wide-ranging career has been fantastic preparation for the opportunities this new role presents, at a time when Britain’s Railways are transitioning to a new and better model. His impressive leadership of Scotland’s Railway is the latest example of this and means he will be much missed. But of course, we wish him well in his new role and look forward to working closely with him.”
David Lowrie, ScotRail Chair and Scottish Rail Holdings Chief Executive said; “Scotland’s Railway’s loss is the UK Department for Transport’s gain. It has been a pleasure to work with Alex over the past few years. He has a strong track record of success in his seven years at the helm of ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland, leaving behind a railway that is the best performing large operator in Britain, with the fastest growing passenger numbers in Britain, and where nine out of ten passengers are satisfied with our service. That’s a record of which to be proud.
“I am grateful to Alex for his leadership and support in making ScotRail’s transition to public ownership a success and laying strong foundations for the future. We wish him every success in his new role as he seeks to build on his work in Scotland to deliver a better and more integrated railway with passengers at the centre.”
As Alex joins DfT, Interim Director General Anit Chandarana will return to Network Rail as planned following the conclusion of his secondment.
DfT Permanent Secretary, Bernadette Kelly, said: “Bringing a wealth of experience to this role, Alex is uniquely equipped to lead our plan to help deliver better outcomes for passengers in the years ahead, working in close partnership with industry.
“I would like to thank Anit for his contribution during his time at DfT, where he has been a hugely collaborative colleague and we look forward to continuing to work with him on his return to Network Rail.”
