GBRf’s Smith takes leading role with parent company
GB Railfreight Managing Director John Smith has been appointed as the new CEO of parent company Hector Rail Group.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to build on what we started with GBRf, and to bring the knowledge that I have gained to our parent company,” said Smith, who took up his new role on January 8.
He said he plans to demonstrate the importance of rail freight in sustainable economic growth, with significant opportunities for closer co-operation between operators across Europe.
Hector Rail Chairman Bo Lerenius said he hoped Smith’s appointment would enable the company to become the leading independent pan-European rail freight operator.
GBRf Strategic Development Director Duncan Clark said of Smith’s new role: “We are sure he will make excellent use of this chance to cement his position as the pre-eminent spokesman for the rail freight sector in the UK, and become its leader across Europe.”
GBRf sources told RAIL that no replacement had yet been lined up. A GBRf spokesman told RAIL: “GBRf will not be embarking on the recruitment of a new MD straightaway and that the strong executive team will manage things, and report directly to John in his new role.”
Smith founded GBRf in 1999 and has more than 40 years of rail industry experience, starting as an apprentice in the North East.
Hector Rail is a Swedish-based independent rail haulage firm founded in 2004 and which operates in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany.