Rail Delivery Group announces changes to its leadership

After four years as Chair of RDG, Chris Burchell’s term has come to an end and he is to be replaced by Steve Montgomery, Managing Director of First Rail, after being unanimously endorsed by the RDG Board.

In a move delayed from last Autumn, Chief Executive, Paul Plummer, will retire from executive roles at the end of 2021.

RDG is taking this as an opportunity to restructure so that it is fit to engage with and support industry reform. Whilst continuing to be a centre for collaboration across the rail system, RDG will be structured to ensure the continuity of high quality services to the railway and also to act as an effective voice for key sections of its membership, such as train operators and freight operators, and the industry as a whole.

Jacqueline Starr

Changes in RDG’s leadership are being made to reflect the move to these new structures. Jacqueline Starr will lead Service Delivery and be overall RDG Chief Executive Officer and Andy Bagnall will lead Advocacy & Change as RDG Director General.

In his five years as Chief Executive of RDG, Paul transformed the organisation, building its capacity in programme and project management and improving its member governance to support better decision making. Paul has also driven RDG to become the employer of a more diverse workforce and delivered a bold set of reform proposals to the Williams Review on behalf of the industry.

As RDG Chairman, Chris Burchell has played a crucial role representing the industry’s voice effectively to three different Secretaries of State for Transport, championing reform in areas such as complex rail fares as well as increased collaboration across the system and most recently he has ensured RDG played a central role in the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum with the rail unions.

Andy Bagnall

Commenting on the changes, Chris Burchell, MD of Arriva UK Trains and outgoing RDG Chair, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul as CEO of RDG over my extended term as Chair. He has not only successfully transformed the organisation, processes and strategy but has also been highly effective in bringing the industry to work closer together and to providing an effective voice for industry to government and stakeholders. His commitment and leadership through several challenging periods, not least the pandemic, are testament to his spirit and love for the industry and we all wish him well as he steps down from executive roles.”

Steve Montgomery

Steve Montgomery, MD of First Rail and new RDG Chair, said: “With the railway at a critical point, facing as it does the twin challenges of recovering from the COVID crisis and major structural reform, strong leadership on behalf of the industry is crucial and the changes being made at RDG will deliver this. Over recent years, Chris and Paul have built the RDG’s voice and its capability to deliver key services for the industry and they leave it in a strong position to navigate the future within a reformed system. I would like to thank them both for their tremendous contribution to the industry over many years.”

Paul Plummer, CEO of RDG, said: “RDG exists to help make Britain’s railway better and we’ve made the case for reform of our railway which is now widely accepted. The current crisis has shown collaboration across the railway at its best and there will be further tests to come in the transition to a sustainable model for the industry which puts the customer at the heart of local decision making while helping to decarbonise and level-up our economy. We’ve said before reform may mean changes for our own organisation. But it’s never been more important for the railway to have the first-class support services and the strong voice that RDG provides. The steps we are taking now under the new leadership team will help ensure that continues to be the case whatever the future holds.”