Two managing directors have been announced for the group set to take over the running of the West Coast Partnership from Virgin Trains - including one who has managed the firm's rail operations since 2013.
FirstGroup and Trenitalia, the companies that will take over the line connecting stations like London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly from Virgin, have appointed Phil Whittingham and Caroline Donaldson to take over the running.
Phil Whittingham, managing director of Virgin Trains since 2013, will now become managing director of the InterCity West Coast business, running passenger rail services between London, the Midlands, North West, Scotland and North Wales.
The group also announced its main headquarters will be located in Birmingham.
Read more here about how Virgin Trains leaving the franchise will affect passengers
In this role, First Group said he will manage a company that will oversee a substantial programme of investment in new and refurbished trains, improved stations and additional services and capacity.
Phil joined Virgin Trains in 1999 as group management accountant having worked closely with the company while working as an accountant at KPMG from 1996.
He was appointed finance director in 2007 before taking over as Managing Director in 2013.
Caroline Donaldson, currently bid director at FirstGroup, will become the managing director of the West Coast Partnership Development that will provide a range of design and development services to support the future operation of high-speed rail services between the North and London in close collaboration with HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport.
As bid director, Ms Donaldson steered FirstGroup and Trenitalia’s successful joint bid for the partnership.
She has been bid director for FirstGroup since 2010, and previously held various positions across the transport sector, including senior positions at Network Rail and London Underground.
She is a chartered accountant, and holds a degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.
Announcing the appointments, Steve Montgomery, managing director of First Rail, said: “We look forward to operating the West Coast Partnership.
"These appointments demonstrate our determination to deliver a range of improvements for InterCity West Coast passengers during the first phase of the partnership and help deliver the railway of tomorrow. Our aim is to provide exceptional service as standard for our customers.
“Phil and Caroline bring great experience, insight and drive to deliver the significant improvements we’re committed to while also establishing the plans and initiatives which will form the bedrock of future high speed rail services.”
Ernesto Sicilia, managing director at Trenitalia (UK), said: “We are delighted to confirm these management appointments which we believe combine the right balance of continuity and professional expertise to deliver our innovative and pioneering partnership operation and to guarantee a high-level service to our customers.”
FirstGroup and Trenitalia also announced the existing senior management team at Virgin Trains will transfer to the new Intercity West Coast business.
