New roles, new challenges, and new faces are shaping the future of rail. RailStaff rounds up the latest appointments, promotions, and career moves from across the industry.
Amey appoints executive advisor
Amey has appointed Jonathan Goring as executive advisor to help shape the company’s next phase of growth.
With a career spanning infrastructure, the built environment, government programmes, and major capital projects, Jonathan has operated at the most senior levels of industry, including CEO, board, and programme leadership roles. He has worked across both the UK and international markets, leading complex organisations and delivering large-scale transformation and growth initiatives.
His background includes senior positions with Capita, Morgan Sindall, PA Consulting, Mott MacDonald, and Systra, as well as key leadership roles on major programmes including HS2 and NEOM.
As part of his role as executive advisor, Jonathan will focus on strengthening the front end of the consulting pipeline, working across the business to shape and accelerate strategic growth in new and existing markets. This will include supporting activity across key contracts and frameworks, enabling entry into new sectors and markets, and helping to unlock opportunities for international growth.
Working closely with senior leaders across the business, he will also play a key role in aligning business development activity, enhancing cross discipline collaboration, and ensuring the organisation is well positioned to build long-term relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers.
Leadership change at First Rail
Mike Nelson has been appointed managing director of First Rail, following Steve Montgomery’s retirement. Mike was formerly finance and strategic development director of the business.
Graham Sutherland, CEO of FirstGroup plc, said: “I would like to wish Steve Montgomery all the best for his retirement and to pay tribute to his long and successful career in the rail industry and at FirstGroup.
“Mike has been an important part of the First Rail leadership team for the past six years, and I am delighted to confirm his appointment as managing director of the business. His job will be to continue the successful transition of First Rail, as our remaining Train Operating Companies are nationalised, and to position the business for future growth.”
Mike added: “I am delighted to be appointed managing director at an exciting moment of change as we shift from the TOCs and reposition the business for the future.
“My focus will be on continued close collaboration with the DfT on the handover of GWR and WCP, following SWR last year, the growth of our Open Access business, including our new Stirling service, and building on the successful launch of First Rail London.
“It’s a privilege to lead the talented First Rail team, and together we will be actively looking at opportunities to grow the business.”
Alstom names new chief comms officer
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has announced the appointment of Cathy Pianon as chief communications officer, effective Thursday 1 October 2026.
Reporting directly to Alstom’s chief executive officer, Martin Sion, she will lead the group’s communications function, overseeing corporate, media, internal and digital communications, as well as brand, events, and reputation.
“Cathy brings extensive international experience, strong strategic judgement, and a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement. Her track record in listed companies, combined with her experience supporting industrial businesses through transformation and complex operating environments, will be a valuable asset for Alstom. I am delighted to welcome her to the group,” said Martin Sion, chief executive officer at Alstom.
Cathy joins Alstom from Groupe SEB, where she currently serves as senior executive vice-president, public affairs and communication, and chief of staff to the chairman. Previously, she held several senior leadership positions at Euro Disney, including vice-president public affairs, communication and CSR and member of the executive committee. Earlier in her career, she held communications and corporate affairs responsibilities at Vivendi, Vinci, and Bureau Veritas.
Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in corporate and financial communications, crisis management, and company-wide transformation initiatives, helping organisations navigate change, operational challenges and stakeholder expectations in complex industrial and international environments.
Railway Mission names new chaplain
Railway Mission has welcomed Emmanuel Egila as its new railway chaplain supporting colleagues across the Southwest Rail network, based out of London Waterloo.
Emmanuel succeeds Christopher Henley, who has moved on to a new chaplaincy role supporting people living with dementia on the South Coast. Railway Mission is grateful for Christopher’s dedicated service and the care he provided to railway colleagues during his time with the charity.
Emmanuel joins Railway Mission with more than eight years of experience in pastoral counselling, spiritual guidance, and community support. He is a licensed and ordained minister and has also gained valuable experience as a chaplaincy and pastoral care volunteer with Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.
In his new role, Emmanuel will regularly visit stations, offices, and other railway workplaces across the network, building trusted relationships with staff at every level. He will provide independent, impartial and confidential pastoral care to colleagues experiencing personal or professional difficulties, including bereavement, stress, trauma, illness, family concerns, and financial pressures.
Emmanuel will also be available to support railway employees and responders following serious or fatal incidents on the railway.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join Railway Mission and to serve the railway community,” said Emmanuel. “I am passionate about pastoral care and about creating a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment in which people feel able to talk openly.
“I am looking forward to meeting colleagues across the network, listening to their experiences and being alongside them through both the everyday pressures of railway life and the more difficult circumstances they may face.”
New communications chief for GBR Anglia
GBR Anglia, which brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia, and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure, has announced the appointment of Alice Shimali as its new communications director.
Alice’s appointment represents another significant step in GBR Anglia’s transition towards Great British Railways (GBR) and follows the completion of the latest recruitment round for the Senior Leadership Team. Alice took up her new role on 3 August.
Alice, who has spent 10 years in the rail industry, will lead the integrated railway’s communications function, bringing together internal communications, media, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and customer engagement into a single, joined up approach.
She will be accountable for protecting and enhancing reputation, supporting business priorities, and ensuring clear, consistent communication across a complex and evolving Anglia railway — including the transition to GBR.
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.”
RIA welcomes Simon Scott
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced the appointment of Simon Scott as its new technical & innovation director. Scott is a highly experienced senior leader within the UK railway industry and joins RIA to lead its technical and innovation agenda at a pivotal time, as the sector prepares for the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR).
Simon brings a wealth of leadership experience and technical expertise to the role, having spent more than three decades developing technology strategies and championing systems thinking across the rail sector. His career spans both public sector organisations and the commercial supply chain, giving him a unique perspective on the priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing the industry.
Simon said “I am incredibly excited to be joining RIA at such a transformative moment for the UK railway. Having worked across the industry for many years, I know first-hand how vital the supply chain is to the railway’s success, sustainability and efficiency. I have also seen the value that RIA brings through its advocacy and its role in championing a stronger, more dynamic supply sector, having been a member of the Association myself for many years.
“I am now looking forward to working closely with our 480-plus members, as well as government partners and client organisations to help strengthen the industry’s technical maturity, accelerate the adoption of innovation, including data and AI, and ensure that suppliers have a powerful, unified technical voice in shaping GBR as it develops in the months and years ahead.”
High Speed Rail Group strengthens board
The High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) has announced the appointment of Mandy Duncan, managing director, rail and aviation at Kier Infrastructure, and Jonathan Sharrock, senior account director at Arcadis, to its board of directors.
The appointments come at a pivotal moment for the rail sector, with the Government looking to rail infrastructure investment to drive economic growth, improve productivity, unlock regeneration opportunities, and strengthen connectivity between towns and cities across the UK.
Mandy brings extensive leadership experience from across the rail, aviation, water and nuclear sectors. Having worked on some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure programmes, she offers a valuable cross sector perspective on delivering major projects efficiently and maximising the long term value of infrastructure investment.
Jonathan leads the Arcadis’ work supporting Britain’s largest infrastructure project. Combined with 13 years at the Department for Transport, he brings an understanding of both policymaking and project delivery.
Together, Mandy, and Jonathan further strengthen the breadth of expertise represented on the HSRG Board. They will bring valuable strategic and commercial insight as the Group continues to champion rail investment that supports growth, connectivity, skills, jobs, and long term regional and national prosperity.
Waterman Group expands leadership team
Multidisciplinary consultancy Waterman Group has announced two senior leadership appointments within its UK Consulting business, strengthening its national capability and reinforcing its focus on delivering integrated, client-focused solutions across its core growth markets.
Jonathan Purcell (left), formerly managing director of Building Services – North, has been appointed managing director of strategy and growth, a new role created to help shape and deliver Waterman’s UK growth agenda. In parallel, Mark Terndrup (right) will expand his role as managing director – south for Building Services, to cover the whole of the UK.
Jonathan said: “I am excited to take on this new role at such an important time for Waterman. We have a real opportunity to build on our collective strengths, deepen our client relationships and position the business for sustainable growth. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the business to help deliver our shared ambitions.”
Mark commented: “I am pleased to be expanding my role to cover the UK at an important time for our Consulting business. These leadership changes support our wider growth ambitions and give us a valuable opportunity to build on the expertise within our national Building Services teams. I look forward to working with colleagues across the country to strengthen our service offering, support our clients and contribute to the wider objectives of the business.”
Garic appoints new sales director
Garic has appointed Luke Bell as sales director, strengthening its commercial leadership as the business continues to scale both its core offering and Garic+.
Joining the business on 29 June, Luke brings more than 15 years of experience in the hire sector, with a strong track record of building effective sales teams, strengthening rehire performance, and driving sustained growth.
Luke joins Garic after a successful career that includes 13 years at HSS Hire, where he progressed through a range of senior roles, including business development director. He then spent over two years with Caterpillar as a senior strategy consultant, working across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to support regional strategy and commercial development.
Commenting on his appointment, Luke said: “Great businesses are built on two things: a team that’s genuinely empowered, and customers who feel the difference. I’m joining with a clear ambition — to foster a culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement, where delivering what matters isn’t the exception, it’s the expectation. I’m excited to help shape what that looks like at Garic.”
