Media centre

Tuesday 26 Apr 2005

CONSUMER VOICE APPOINTED TO NETWORK RAIL BOARD

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail is pleased to announce the appointment of Yvonne Constance as a non-executive director with effect from 1 May 2005. Mrs Constance is a former Chairman of the National Electricity Consumers’ Council and spent over five years as the voice of domestic electricity consumers before, during and after the privatisation of the industry.  In 1998 Mrs Constance received an OBE for her services to electricity consumers.  A justice of the peace since 1976, Mrs Constance has a wealth of experience of being a non-executive on large plc boards (Innogy plc), and also has good public sector know-how having spent some six years as a non-executive director at a large London NHS Trust.  She has also worked as a barrister and is a presiding chairman in London Magistrates’ Courts. Announcing Mrs Constance’s appointment, Chairman, Ian McAllister, said: “I am delighted to welcome Yvonne Constance to the Network Rail Board.  Her skills and experience will further enhance our already strong customer focus as we continue the task of rebuilding Britain’s railway.” Stewart Francis, Chairman of the Rail Passengers’ Council, said: “We welcome the news of Yvonne's appointment.  Her background and skills in regulatory and consumer affairs are a welcome complement to the existing Network Rail Board. We look forward to working alongside Yvonne and her colleagues to ensure that the passenger viewpoint is at the heart of Network Rail’s decision-making.” Mrs Constance, born in 1943, has three adult children and a passion for walking and the countryside.