George Davies has been appointed as RSSB’s new director of sustainable development to lead a new, dedicated programme designed to reinvigorate the railway’s collective efforts to tackle key sustainability challenges including carbon, air quality, and social sustainability.
He joins from Heathrow Airport, where he was head of sustainability.
The RSSB board recognises that the industry now needs to move to the next level on sustainability and bring together a more ambitious and coordinated industry-wide approach with RSSB taking on the role of lead developers. George and his team will build on work that RSSB has already supported since the mid-noughties, but with much better definition and coordination across industry and government, and ensure sustainability is embedded in rail’s approach following any outcomes of the Williams Review.
On his appointment, George said: “I’m delighted to join RSSB’s team at this critical time. Industry and government have rightly had to prioritise the pressing concern of the pandemic, but as we get on top of it, the longer term challenges around climate change and quality of life will still be there waiting for us to solve. And rail will be part of that future, but we must not get complacent. That’s the nub of the strategy I want to oversee, setting a vision for an optimally utilised net-zero carbon railway that increases quality of life for people and improves the natural environment.”
Welcoming his appointment, RSSB’s chief executive Mark Phillips said: “George has joined RSSB to enhance industry’s collective effort and provide a more collaborative, coordinated approach to sustainable development – it’s fantastic to have George with us. The new strategy and programme of work will ensure industry is in the best long-term position to support recovery after the pandemic recedes, and that policy makers in government get the best advice on the issues for the rail sector.”
