Journey to Great British Railways accelerates with track and train in the West Midlands united under single leadership

• Denise Wetton appointed Integrated Managing Director of GBR West Midlands
• Train operators and Network Rail in the region will unite under a single leadership team sparking a transformational change for the railway
• Three integrated railways, GBR South Eastern, GBR South Western and GBR Anglia have all stood up and are already delivering improvement for customers

The foundations for Great British Railways (GBR) continue to be laid across Britain with the railway in the West Midlands getting a new rail boss who will bring the region’s track and train together.

Denise Wetton’s appointment as Integrated Managing Director of GBR West Midlands is a major milestone on the journey to GBR, as she works to deliver a more joined-up and reliable railway for passengers, freight and taxpayers across the area.

Operating under a single leadership team, GBR West Midlands will see the railway in the region operating as one, ensuring faster and better decisions when things go wrong, providing single points of accountability for customers and partners, and joined-up planning and processes to keep improving performance.

Currently, there are three integrated railways in Britain - GBR South Eastern, GBR South Western and GBR Anglia - responsible for driving a better customer experience, improving commercial outcomes and managing the local infrastructure.

Bringing track and train together is already delivering significant benefits, including:

• Reducing delays and keeping passengers moving by allowing daytime track access and the installation of on-train cameras that can rapidly report rail defects.
• Keeping people safe and stopping rail theft with the deployment of drones to identify and reduce trespassing incidents.
• Saving taxpayers money by reducing duplication and streamlining processes.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: "Denise’s appointment marks an important step towards Great British Railways and the simpler, more joined-up railway it will deliver.

“By bringing track and train closer together, we can improve reliability, deliver better value for taxpayers, and build a railway that has passengers and freight at its heart. I look forward to working with her and her team at GBR West Midlands to realise the benefits this approach will bring to deliver growth, jobs and homes across the region.”

Alex Hynes, DFTO Chief Executive, said: “Bringing track and train together, and working as one system is already delivering better journeys and stronger communities across parts of Britain while saving taxpayers money.

“Customers in the West Midlands will be the next to start feeling the benefits of a truly integrated railway as we continue to grow and build the foundations for Great British Railways with the appointment of Denise Wetton.

“Denise brings a wealth of experience and an intimate knowledge of the railway in the region that will prove invaluable as she drives better coordination, faster decisions and a stronger focus on delivering for passengers in the West Midlands.”

Denise has most recently been the route director for Network Rail’s Central Route - which operates and maintains railway infrastructure in the West Midlands and Chilterns area, as well as managing Birmingham New Street station, Britain's biggest rail interchange – and has more than 20 years’ experience in the rail industry. She replaces Ian McConnell who has joined DFTO as its new Rolling Stock Director. Ian will be responsible for shaping the future of rolling stock strategy as the journey to GBR continues.

Jake Kelly, Managing Director for Network Rail's North West & Central Region, said: “Denise’s appointment as Integrated Managing Director for GBR West Midlands is a major step forward as we move towards Great British Railways. Since becoming Route Director for Central Route, she has championed closer working with train operators and Mayoral Combined Authority partners to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for passengers.

“In this new role, bringing track and train together across the West Midlands, Denise is perfectly placed to build on that momentum and drive even greater improvements for the people and communities we are proud to serve."

Denise Wetton, Integrated Managing Director of GBR West Midlands, said: “This is an exciting time where we can really start to bring track and train together, building on past successes for an even better future.

“We will create a railway that meets the needs of the communities we serve, and a railway that we and our customers can be proud of.

“Great British Railways is a once in a generation opportunity to improve performance on the railway and deliver a better railway for everyone. The hard work starts now, and I am excited to get started.”

The railway in the West Midlands is a vital part of the national network, helping millions of passengers make local and regional journeys, as well as being a key freight route for millions of tonnes of essential goods and materials.

Across Great Britain, integration is taking place between track and train in preparation for Great British Railways. You can find out more here Great British Railways and the public ownership programme - GOV.UK