The business leader who steered Hitachi Rail through the launch of its North East manufacturing site is stepping down from the role.
Karen Boswell, Hitachi Rail Group’s chief administration officer and managing director of Hitachi Rail Limited, will leave the firm in October having spent four years driving huge growth at the firm.
She joined the company in June 2015 and oversaw the return of train building in the region, at the firm's manufacturing site in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
Since then she has also led Hitachi’s delivery of the UK government-backed £5.7bn Intercity Express Programme, which has seen new trains built for the Great Western and East Coast Mainlines, as well as the delivery of electric commuter trains to Scotland.
In March 2017, in addition to her role as UK MD, Karen was appointed Group CAO of Hitachi Rail’s global business, with overall responsibility for group strategy, IT, legal and communications, brand & marketing.
In 2016, Ms Boswell was awarded an OBE for services to the UK rail industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The company’s total employee numbers have grown during Ms Boswell's tenure, from 400 in mid-2015 to over 3,000.
Andrew Barr, Hitachi Rail Group CEO, said: “Karen has made an enormous and lasting contribution to Hitachi Rail at both UK and group levels, and she will be leaving with our business in great shape and well positioned to build on the achievements of the last four and a half years.
“I would like to thank Karen for her leadership during a period of rapid growth for our business in the UK, and trust that everyone at Hitachi will join me in wishing her well for the future.”
Hitachi said it will make an announcement in due course about who will succeed Ms Boswell in her roles.
