Shoveller scoops top Stagecoach rail position

PERTH-based Stagecoach has appointed Tim Shoveller, who has run its South West Trains franchise for the past four years, as managing director of its UK rail division.

Stagecoach’s UK rail division includes East Midlands Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast and the Supertram light rail network in Sheffield, as well as South West Trains.

Mr Shoveller, who has nearly 25 years of rail industry experience, will report directly to Stagecoach chief executive Martin Griffiths.

He will be responsible for managing Stagecoach’s existing rail businesses, and for new business development opportunities.

Mr Griffiths said: “We have a strong rail business and a portfolio of franchises which extends through to 2023, with further expected opportunities to bid for a number of contracts over the next two years.”

Christian Roth, fleet director at South West Trains, will succeed Mr Shoveller as managing director of the rail franchise.

Mr Griffiths said: “This is a very exciting time for Stagecoach, which is a leading operator in the UK rail market. These new appointments will put us in a strong position as we seek to transform the travel experience for our customers, grow our business and develop a strong bid for the new South Western rail franchise in 2017.”

He added that Mr Shoveller had “made a significant impact at South West Trains”, including leading a “ground-breaking” alliance with Network Rail. And he noted Mr Shoveller’s “firsthand insight into large parts of the UK rail network”.