A QUICK INTRODUCTION…

There’s fresh leadership, new priorities and a big chapter ahead for London Overground under First Rail London (FRL). Over the coming weeks, you’ll get to know a bit more about the new executive team shaping that future but first, a quick introduction to the people behind the roles. We put each exec on the spot with a set of quickfire questions…

David Statham, managing director

My role in a sentence

Supporting colleagues across the Overground to deliver what we promise to our client, our communities and our customers 

My top priority for the next five years

If you want to hear a bit more about my priorities for the concession, have a listen to my recent podcast , but to summarise:

·       Everyone home safe every day

·       On time, all the time

·       Making sure the overground remains a great place to work

·       Looking after our customers: making every journey count. 

Colleagues may not know…

I volunteer for a brilliant local festival called Feast in West Norwood where I live. Every first Sunday of the month, we have food stalls, a craft market and loads of amazing live music. I organise all the music: up to 80 acts a year all drawn from the local community. Any budding talent, drop me a line!

The best advice I’ve ever received

Not advice exactly, but I am a bit of an Apollo programme geek and must have watched the Apollo 13 movie tens of times. It is amazing to see people working together to solve such complicated high stakes problems under such pressure.

Charlotte Whitfield, operations director

Role in a sentence

I’m responsible for drivers and driver management teams, control team, train planning and resourcing, and operational performance

My top priority

Delivery of good operational performance is absolutely fundamental for our customers, and hence it’s an enormous part of the measures of success for LO3. Focussing on improving our T3 performance across all of our lines, and in particular the Mildmay line, is my top priority, while maintaining our high levels of safe operations.

Colleagues may not know…

I used to play roller derby, and was lucky enough to travel internationally on a few occasions. I was the “jammer” which is a bit like being a human pin ball! My appetite for full contact sport is a bit less these days, mostly running as many miles as I can each week.

The best advice I’ve ever received

It’s a simple one, but genuinely embracing opportunity and saying yes is probably the best advice I have received. I’ve moved around the country for jobs and done a huge variety of roles (including working as a bus driver) and have taken something from every role I’ve done. It’s helped me grow in confidence and resilience.

Mark Hughes, head of safety, health and wellbeing and compliance

Role in a sentence

To make sure we do everything we can at work to help people be healthy and safe. 

My top priority

The 5 Rs – having the right people, in the right place, with the right skills, knowledge, experience and training, to do the right thing at the right time. This is based around a number of key requirements including having the right systems, processes and training in place. Leading from the top to build a safety culture where this is what we do well – all the time.

Colleagues may not know…

I teach youngsters and adults to sail, with some of them going on to compete nationally. I have won a few races in my time too!

The best advice I’ve ever received

Always treat others how you would like to be treated and manners do go along way!

Kate Marjoribanks, engineering director

Role in a sentence

I am responsible for our traincare teams that make sure our fleet is cleaned overnight and during the day, and also our fleet and engineering teams that manage our maintainer Alstom.

My top priority

Top is that we have a SCRAP train fleet: Safe, Clean, Reliable, Available, with all Passenger amenities spot on. We need to improve fleet reliability, especially the 378s, to support operational performance and be ready for our service level uplifts on the Mildmay line this month, and later on the Windrush line. We have some exciting plans for fleet improvements including fitting sensors to train bogies to monitor the track.

Colleagues may not know…

When I was (a lot) younger, I worked in the rail industry in Australia. While there, I was lucky enough to take part in the Sydney Hobart Yacht race, a three-day team sail across the Bass Strait ending in Tasmania. It was an amazing experience.

The best advice I’ve ever received

My mum’s favourite advice was “be like the Queen, go when you can, not when you have to” – very useful on long trips as a child. But actually the best advice I have had is probably “treat others as you want to be treated”. 

Niall Rooney, customer experience director

Role in a sentence

I lead the team delivering amazing outcomes through our colleagues to all of our customers. The remit is broad, ranging from stations to facilities management, and security to infrastructure projects. 

My top priority…

…will always be the safety of our colleagues and customers. This was at the forefront in LO2 and will be throughout LO3. The new concession agreement is designed to deliver the best outcomes for customers and I look forward to achieving this with colleagues at the heart of everything we do.

Colleagues may not know…

I was a big fan of the TV series Sex and the City. Don't ask why, I just really liked it! 

The best advice I’ve ever received

There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity. Always helps me face tough situations and see challenges as opportunities. 

Oliver Owens, concession and transformation director

Role in a sentence

 My role is to manage the relationship with Rail for London (RfL).

My top priority

Delivering on the commitments made to customers, RfL and First Group is my priority over the next five years.  While we have made commitments to build a safer, higher-performing railway.  We have also committed to plans to make a difference for colleagues and the communities we serve - like Net Zero, Zero Harm, improving accessibility and increasing training opportunities.

Colleagues may not know

I grew up in Australia and still follow a different type of football!

The best advice I’ve ever received

A trainer once told me to go slow to go fast, and with a lot to get going on with the new concession, we must not rush but make the right decisions.

 

Lee Archer, people director

Role in a sentence

To ensure overall that FRL is a great place to work.

My top priority

To continue all the good work that’s already been done, while really focusing on inclusion and diversity and making sure all of our employees are treated professionally and with dignity. I want to help grow a high-performing culture, focus on developing skills and capabilities, and place a real emphasis on harnessing internal talent.

Colleagues may not know…

I live in Felixstowe, right by the sea, and enjoy the coast, the walks, and being close to the penny arcades!

The best advice I’ve ever received

Be curious, listen to others, and let their perspectives help shape your own views on what makes something great.