NETWORK RAIL ANNOUNCES NEW DESIGNATE CHAIRMAN

Tuesday 20 Jan 2009

NETWORK RAIL ANNOUNCES NEW DESIGNATE CHAIRMAN

Region & Route:: National

Network Rail today announced its new designate chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite. His appointment will be made by the Board following a meeting with Network Rail’s Members with the matter being put before the company's AGM in July as a normal election resolution.

In an executive role, Rick was CEO of Invensys plc, from 2001 to 2005, leading the rescue and restructuring of the £7bn turnover company. He was also group chief executive of Blue Circle industries and spent 18 years with BP in various senior roles.

He is currently non-executive chairman of Mastercard Inc, a non-executive director of Land Securities, a senior advisor to STAR Capital Partners and president of PSA Energy. His previous non-executive roles included board membership of ICI and Lafarge.

In the voluntary sector, Rick is also chairman of the Southbank Centre and the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council.

Announcing the designate chairman, senior non-executive director, Jim Cornell, said: “Network Rail is fortunate to have found such an experienced and highly respected individual. Rick will be a tremendous asset to the company in both leading the Board and forging stronger relationships with key people and organisations."

Mr Haythornthwaite, born in 1956, is married and has two adult children.

Notes to editors

• Network Rail's Board selected Mr Haythornthwaite as the designate chairman at the Board meeting on 14th January. He will meet with Members at a meeting in February and will be confirmed by the Board in his appointment as 'designate chairman' in March, when he will take up his position • In line with normal practice his election will be formally put before Members at the AGM in July. • Against the stringent criteria outlined for the role (and shared with Members) 12 candidates were considered and five short-listed in November. Various interviews and face-to-face meetings followed resulting in Mr Haythornthwaite's selection • The selection comes following Sir Ian McAllister (the existing chairman) announcing in October 2008, his intention to step down from the Board following the company's AGM in July 2009

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