The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), as the new Chair of Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR).
Shoaf’s role will be to guide the government’s rail reforms and bring senior leaders together to implement improvements for passengers, working towards a more unified and efficient rail system.
Shadow Great British Railways will also help shape Great British Railways (GBR), a future permanent body responsible for overseeing railway infrastructure and services across the country.
Laura Shoaf , Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and now Chair of Shadow Great British Railways
© WMCA
Shoaf previously served as managing director of Transport for West Midlands. In that role, she oversaw significant transport investment in the region and became the first female chair of the Urban Transport Group, representing transport leaders from across the UK.
“The arrival of the railways fundamentally changed the United Kingdom – creating huge growth, new connections between communities, and opening up the opportunity of jobs and adventure to people across the whole of the country.
“I recognise the great power that our transport network plays in our day to day lives, but in order for it to work, and in order for it to keep opening up these opportunities, it has to be built around our passengers and freight users.
“It is my privilege to have been asked to chair Shadow Great British Railways, and my focus will be ensuring people are at the heart of the railways and to ensure this remains a focus for years to come.”
The government’s rail reforms aim to end the fragmentation of Britain’s railways, unifying track and train under the oversight of Great British Railways.
While awaiting the passing of legislation, SGBR will begin laying the groundwork for these changes, ensuring that progress is made without delay. This will include close collaboration with industry partners to deliver better services for passengers and address financial challenges facing the rail system.
“For too long, passengers have suffered from a fragmented rail system that doesn’t work in their interests – we’re going to change that.
“Establishing Shadow Great British Railways is a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train – and it’s fantastic we have someone of Laura’s calibre to drive forward reforms.
“Laura brings immense hands-on experience of delivering change, and a shared desire to move fast and deliver change – I’m looking forward to working with her to fix our railways and getting Britain moving again.”