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Thursday 24 Feb 2011

GO-AHEAD’S LUDEMAN TO JOIN NETWORK RAIL AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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National

Network Rail announces today the appointment of one of Britain’s top transport business leaders, Keith Ludeman as a non-executive director. Mr Ludeman, 61, has been group chief executive of one of Europe’s biggest transport groups – Go-Ahead – since 2006. On his retirement from that post in July this year he will join the board of Network Rail.

Commenting on the appointment, Network Rail’s chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite said: "Keith Ludeman brings to Network Rail decades of experience of leadership in Britain’s transport industry. The addition of him to the board will provide first-hand, passenger-focused expertise which will help Network Rail on its journey to becoming ever more responsive to its customers and passengers.

"The appointment of Mr Ludeman completes a task I set myself as chairman to totally overhaul the non-executive element of Network Rail’s board, strengthening it in order to provide world-class corporate oversight."

Under Network Rail’s licence to operate, as granted by the Office of Rail Regulation, the company is required to have at least two non-executive directors with ‘substantial relevant experience of working in the railway industry’. Mr Ludeman fulfils this criterion, alongside Graham Eccles, former deputy chairman of London Midland. Network Rail’s members – who act as the company’s shareholders – will have the opportunity to vote on his appointment at July’s annual general meeting.

Other non-executive appointments announced by Mr Haythornthwaite over the past twelve months include: Malcolm Brinded executive director, upstream international, Royal Dutch Shell, Lawrie Haynes, president, nuclear, Rolls-Royce; Janis Kong, non-executive director at Kingfisher plc, Visit Britain, Portmeirion plc, Forum for the Future and former main board director of BAA plc; Graham Eccles, former deputy chairman of London Midland; David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority and, now, Network Rail's chief executive; and Bridget Rosewell, chairman and chief executive of Volterra Consulting.