news
New appointments strengthen Board
From Left:
Simon Kirby,
Robin Gisby
& Paul Plummer.
Network Rail has promoted three (to form BAE Systems) Simon was regulation, business planning and long-
executive directors to the board. They appointed MD of the three BAE Systems term planning of the network. Previously
serve alongside eight non-executive shipyards in Cumbria and Glasgow and chief economist (from 1999-2001) and
directors. The new board members are: then MD of BAE Systems' "multi-billion then non-executive director (until October
Director, operations and customer pound" prime contract organisation. 2002) at the Office of the Rail Regulator,
service - Robin Gisby Simon joined Network Rail in July 2003 he has also worked at National Economic
Director, infrastructure investment - as director, major projects and investment Research Associates (NERA), NM
Simon Kirby with responsibility for delivery of the Rothschild & Sons and Accenture. Paul is
Director, planning and regulation - company's growing project and expansion 42, married with four children and lives in
Paul Plummer. scheme portfolio. Last year Simon was Bedfordshire, commuting daily on the
Robin Gisby became director, operations appointed to the new role of director, west coast main line. He enjoys running
and customer services in May 2004. His infrastructure investment which added and hockey.
promotion marks a meteoric career from the company's 'mega-projects',
running freelance freight trains in the such as the west coast project,
early 1990s to roles which have included the Thameslink programme,
director of the southern region, director of and others to his
the eastern region and with Railtrack as responsibilities. Simon, 43, has
director network development and an MSc in engineering
director of freight. Robin is married with business management, is
four children and lives in south west married with two children, and
London. lives in Cumbria. He enjoys
Simon Kirby's early career was spent in sailing, cycling and is a
the aerospace & defence industry Liverpool FC supporter.
including the Trident nuclear submarine Paul Plummer joined
programme. Simon went on to become Network Rail when it took
operations director of the two Marconi over Railtrack nearly six years
shipyards in 1998. In 2000, after the ago. His responsibilities include
merger of Marconi and British Aerospace all aspects of economic
Night moves at
Manchester
Work on the third platform at finishing touches to the Outwood
Manchester Airport's station is Lane bridge. Other tasks will
pressing ahead – under cover of include commissioning the
darkness. Network Rail wants the signalling, removing hoardings
new platform to be ready for use from around the work site and
by 14th December when the winter completing outstanding track
timetable starts. To speed up the maintenance. The new platform
£15m project, rail engineers will be will help relieve congestion at the
working overnight shifts between airport. On average eight trains
2200 and 0500 throughout October. arrive and depart the airport station
The time will be used to put the every hour.
october 2008 | the rail engineer | 5
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48