Posted 3rd July 2009 | 1 Comment

Elaine Holt to head new East Coast company

Elaine Holt

TRANSPORT secretary Lord Adonis has announced the appointment of former First Capital Connect managing director Elaine Holt as chief executive designate of the new publicly owned East Coast Main Line Company established to take over the franchise from National Express East Coast.

In a statement to the House of Lords on 1 July, Lord Adonis said: “We will agree an orderly handover with National Express, which will continue to operate services on the current basis up to the date after which the new public company will do so.

“There will be no interruption of services. Existing operational staff – who continue to provide a good service – will transfer to the new company. I can assure the travelling public that services will continue without disruption and all tickets will be honoured.”

Ms Holt, 42, quit as managing director of FCC in April after 10 years with FirstGroup. She joined First Great Western in 1999, became bid director for the Group’s rail business in 2004, and went on to lead its successful bid for the first Capital Connect franchise, which runs Thameslink and Great Northern services.

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  • Notabanker, London, uk

    Lord Adonis would be wiser if he scrapped the whole franchising system which clearly hasn't worked. It is all reminiscent of something from an episode of "Dad's Army" , with Corporal Jones running about shouting "don't panic, don't panic! " . However it is the passenger who do, and will in future to pay the price.