New managing director for rail company Greater Anglia

Jamie Burles has been managing director of the company for more than 10 years and is taking on a new role as deputy managing director of Network Rail's Eastern region - that's an area running from London to Berwick on Tweed on the Scottish border and all lines to the east of that.

New Greater Anglia MD Martin Beable. (Image: Greater Anglia)

He is being replaced at Greater Anglia by Martin Beable who is returning to the company where he was Engineering Director for five years until last October - overseeing the introduction of the fleet of new trains that have transformed services in the region.

But the next few years are set to see major changes in the industry - all passenger train operating companies like Greater Anglia are to be brought back into public ownership as their deals with the government run out.

The timetable for this is likely to be announced before Christmas this year - Greater Anglia is expected to come into public ownership sometime between early next year and September 2026.

Eventually all the train operating companies and Network Rail will be absorbed into the new body Great British Railways - but that is not expected to happen until 2027 at the earliest.

That body is expected to be led by senior managers  with experience of both Network Rail and train operating companies - and Mr Burles with his reputation for having transformed Greater Anglia during his time in charge is expected to be a key figure.

Mr Burles said: “I am proud to have been part of a great team at Greater Anglia which has delivered a transformation in train services in our region over the past decade.

"We made a commitment to a positive step change in service quality, with new trains and better performance, and we have fulfilled that pledge.

"I am sure Martin Beable will maintain that cycle of continuous improvement, to provide even better services for passengers.

"I’d like to thank everyone at Greater Anglia and all the partners and stakeholders who I’ve worked with, who have helped us make GA a top performing train company.”

Meanwhile Mr Beable's appointment after 12 months as New Trains and Fleet Director of GA's parent company UK Transport looks like clear indication that the company is determined to continue its success.

Greater Anglia has been the most reliable UK rail company every month for well over a year and it has been named "Passenger Rail Operator of the Year" in the UK Rail Awards twice over the last three years.

Mr Beable said:  “I am delighted to be returning to Greater Anglia as its new Managing Director.

"With new trains right across our network and industry-leading punctuality, we are well placed to keep on improving rail services for customers and communities throughout our region.

"Everyone at GA is committed to delivering the best possible service, day in, day out, and I am passionate about the role the railway plays in ensuring East Anglia is a successful and sustainable place to live and work.”