Monday 16 Aug 2010
NETWORK RAIL APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF RETAIL
- Region & Route:
- National
Network Rail has appointed Gavin McKechnie to join its property division, as head of retail.
Mr McKechnie will have overall responsibility for retail within the organisation, with a focus on the enhancement and expansion of the retail estate at some of Britain’s busiest stations, including King’s Cross, Birmingham New Street and Waterloo.
Previously chief commercial officer at Delhi International airport, Mr McKechnie was a key figure in the development of the airport’s retail operation.
Mr McKechnie said: “This is a key time to join Network Rail and I am excited at this opportunity. Britain relies on rail and retail revenue is a vital funding stream for Network Rail. As we seek to deliver ever greater value for the British people, maximising commercial opportunities will help us achieve our goals.
“With ambitious plans underway to expand and enhance retail in stations, and the redevelopment of major stations such as King’s Cross and Birmingham New Street creating amazing new space, we are about to see a new era for retail in stations.
“Our stations benefit from unrivalled high levels of footfall making them a prime environment for retailers to trade. Over the coming year we’ll be using new space to work with exciting new retailers to provide a great experience and enhanced station environment for passengers.”
Mr McKechnie takes over from Simone Bailey who has now been appointed as Network Rail’s new head of commercial estate.
Notes to editors
Gavin McKechnie:
2008 to 2010: Chief commercial officer, Delhi International Airport
2004 to 2008: Commercial director, BAA Scotland
1999 to 2004: General manager world duty free, Stansted and Scotland
1994 to 1999: Area manager, Kingfisher Group (Comet & B&Q)
1989 to 1994: General manager, London Electricity (retail)
1986 to 1989: Store manager, Argos
1985 to 1986: Graduate trainee, McDonald’s Hamburgers Ltd
1981 to 1985: University of Aberdeen
Network Rail property:
Is one of the largest land and property owners in the country and will generate over £1bn in the next five years from commercial activities for re-investment in our rail estate. This would be enough to transform Birmingham New Street or King’s Cross stations, or put in place 5,000km of new railway.
Has over 480,000 sq ft retail space at 18 of the largest stations across the country – more retail space than Bluewater – showcasing many leading high-street brands.
Is the country's largest provider of commercial property to small and medium sized businesses with over 7,000 properties nationwide.
In addition, works in partnership on existing development projects, including multi-million pound commercial schemes above our stations at London Bridge (Shard) and Cannon Street and our first multi-site joint venture: Solum Regeneration.
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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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