Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
May 6, 2015
London, 6 May, 2015 - Hitachi Rail Europe today announces the appointment of Karen Boswell as Managing Director and Nick Hughes as Sales Director, with effect from 1st June 2015.
With the company's Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in Newton Aycliffe becoming fully operational later this year, Hitachi Rail Europe's focus is shifting towards delivering trains to existing UK customers and driving new European sales.
Karen comes to Hitachi Rail Europe from East Coast Trains where she spent five years as Managing Director. Karen will lead the rapid expansion of the company. This will involve delivering and maintaining existing orders for Class 800/801 Trains and AT200 Trains; as well as continuing to expand the business to attract new orders for rolling stock, ETCS and traffic management systems.
On joining HRE, Karen said:
“It is an exciting time to be joining such an innovative global organization like Hitachi Rail Europe. I was attracted to Hitachi by its excellent record of customer delivery as exemplified by the 395 Javelin fleet. I look forward to bringing into service a new generation of trains, which will deliver a step change in the experience for passengers and greater reliability for operators.”
“I believe people are the key ingredient and I am looking forward to working with the wider HRE team, developing our people, creating new and exciting opportunities for all whilst at the same time raising the bar in the customer experience.”
Nick Hughes joins Hitachi Rail Europe with over 20 years of senior level experience in the UK and EU rail markets. He joins from Ansaldo STS where he is currently Chairman in the UK. Prior to that, Nick held senior business development roles in Alstom Transport and Jarvis.
Nick says;
“I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic and expanding business as Hitachi Rail Europe. Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, I will focus on steering the business towards new sales and opening new markets here in the UK, Europe and worldwide. I am really excited about joining the sales team and I am inspired and driven to take this business forward at what is a very exciting time for HRE.”
Karen takes over the role of Managing Director from Keith Jordan, who will be taking up a new senior international role where he will play a key part in the integration of Hitachi's Rail businesses, Ansaldo STS and Ansaldo Breda. Andy Barr will remain as Chief Operating Officer and will hand over the responsibility for sales to Nick to allow Andy to focus on the rapid expansion of the company operations.
Making the announcement today, Alistair Dormer, Global CEO of Hitachi - Rail and Chairman of Hitachi Rail Europe, said:
“Hitachi Rail Europe is now established as a strong player in the UK rail market and is well set for the next phase of expansion with the opening of the Newton Aycliffe Manufacturing Facility later in the year. I am delighted to welcome Karen and Nick to join our strong senior team to lead the company into the next phase of growth.”
“Keith Jordan and Andy have been instrumental in the success of HRE over many years. Keith hands over the reins to Karen with the company in great shape and will now bring a wealth of experience to the integration of Ansaldo STS and Ansaldo Breda, and the further expansion of the Hitachi Global Rail businesses. Andy has enjoyed tremendous success leading the sales team over the last 12 months in addition to his operational responsibilities. I would like to wish Karen, Nick, Keith and Andy every success in their new roles.”
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2013 (ended March 31, 2014) totalled 9,616 billion yen ($93.4 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information and telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional materials and components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Europe, Ltd. and is headquartered in London, UK.
Hitachi Rail Europe is a total railway system supplier offering rolling stock, traction equipment, signalling, traffic management systems and maintenance depots.
Hitachi draws on many years of experience as a leading supplier of high-speed trains such as the Shinkansen (bullet train) for the Japanese and international markets. In Europe, Hitachi Rail Europe's first rolling stock contract was to deliver a fleet of 29 Class 395 trains, the first domestic high-speed train in the UK, which are maintained at Hitachi's state-of-the-art depot in Ashford, Kent. As part of the British Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme, Hitachi Rail Europe will replace the UK's fleet of Intercity trains, and will establish a new rolling stock manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, UK for this purpose. The trains will be maintained and serviced in a number of new maintenance depots along the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line.
For more information about the company, please visit: www.Hitachirail-eu.com.
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