Arriva announces managing director for new Northern franchise

Arriva has announced the appointment of Alex Hynes as managing director of Arriva Rail North Ltd which will operate the Northern rail franchise.

Mr Hynes, who has been managing director of Northern since August 2013, will take up his role on 1 April when Arriva begins operating the nine-year contract which it was awarded in December.

An experienced transport professional, Mr Hynes has held a variety of senior roles within the rail industry. He joined Go-Ahead in 2005 before becoming commercial director at their London Midland franchise and then as Managing Director – Rail Development on Go Ahead’s executive committee.

From 1 April he will lead Northern’s  5,500 employees and deliver Arriva’s ambitious plans to transform rail travel for customers across the North of England – with an extensive investment programme promising new and refurbished trains, extra services, increased capacity and a variety of station and ticketing improvements.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains Division said: “Alex has led Northern for almost three years and has introduced a wide programme of improvements.

“He is respected by local authorities and partners because he understands the huge importance of the Northern network to towns, cities and local communities. He brings continuity and is the ideal person to lead Northern into its next exciting chapter which will see the biggest transformation of services in a generation.”

Alex Hynes added: “Arriva has committed to a multi-million pound investment programme for Northern so I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to lead the business and the fantastic team we have built.

“Arriva brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Northern through its successes here in the UK and across mainland Europe. To be part of that, and the plans to vastly improve services, capacity and stations for customers, is hugely exciting for me.”

Arriva already has a strong presence in the UK’s rail market. It operates the award-winning CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways and Arriva Trains Wales franchises and also operates the nationally-recognised London Overground concession and leading open access operator, Grand Central.

ENDS