8 Oct. 2009: Network Rail has announced the names of 23 new public members which it says will help keep the company accountable for its actions.

NR Chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said: ‘Public members will continue to have strong powers and play a vital role. I welcome their appointment, and I am confident that the calibre of those selected means that they will complement the skills and experience of existing members in holding the board of Network Rail to account.’

The new members, who were recommended by an independent panel, will begin their term of appointment next month, replacing those whose membership expires this year. The total number of members will continue to be 103.

The new public members are:

Mr Hugh Becker; Mr Anthony Bicknell; Mr Jonathan Bray; Mr David Campbell; Mr Arnab Dutt; Mr Mark Fisher; Mr Peter Garland; Mr David Gartside; Mr Christopher Hasty; Dr David Jennings; Mr Olek Keenan; Mr Richard Lambert; Ms Susannah Lloyd; Mr Bill Matthews; Mr Deryk Mead; Mr Andrew Millward; Mr David Pemberton; Mr Bob Rixham; Mr William Robinson; Mrs Margaret Serna; Mr Trevor Shears; Mr Colin Smith; Mr Peter Waller.
 
The members are intended to play the part of shareholders in a conventional company, but Network Rail is often criticised for its lack of real accountability. The Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said: ‘The Conservatives propose making Network Rail directly accountable to passengers, and freezing executive bonuses in the event of failures or persistent delays.’ She added that a Conservative government would create a supervisory Board and also strengthen the powers of the Office of Rail Regulation.