FIRST Hull trains managing director Mark Leving, who has been with the open access operator for six years, has left the company.

He is replaced by former Great Northern route director James Adeshiyan, 43, who becomes general manager of the train company which was launched nine years ago to run direct services on the East Coast main line between Hull and London King’s Cross.

Mr Leving’s departure came just a few weeks after several high profile passengers including former deputy prime minister John Prescott criticised the service claiming that trains had been cancelled or had mechanical problems, toilets didn’t work and there was no hot or cold food.

At the time the company said it had “struggled” for a time because serious damage to a train en-route had put pressure on the company from a maintenance point of view as the train would be out of service for up to six weeks.

The company vowed to improve the service and said that performance had been improving during May and into June.
The chairman of First Hull Trains, Clive Burrows, praised the work of the outgoing MD.

He said: “Mark has led First Hull Trains for the last six years, and has established a capable team.  I would like to thank Mark for all his good work during his time as managing director for First Hull Trains.

“He has laid strong foundations for the next phase in First Hull Trains’ development, which will include the engineering and on-board upgrade of our Class 180 train fleet. We wish Mark well for the future.”

James Adeshiyan has worked in key commercial and operational roles in a number of train operating companies across the rail industry over the last 13 years. He was route director of Great Northern and also operations director of London Lines.

Mr Burrows said of his appointment: “I am confident that as general manager, James will focus on getting the basics right in terms of customer service and delivering the plans for the upgrade of our trains.”