The International Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has introduced the appointment of Gail Hawthorne and Simon Blanchflower CBE as new Non-Govt Administrators together with Rob Thompson as Director of Implementation.
As a industrial lawyer and Barrister, Gail Hawthorne specialises in advising world public, personal and third sector organisations that function in extremely regulated industries on compliance and threat mitigation. This consists of having labored on the Bar and in personal observe as a industrial litigator and as interim Group Authorized Counsel for Scottish Water. She can be a former panel advocate to the Equality and Human Rights Fee.
Left to proper: Debra Williams, Simon Blanchflower, Rob Thompson, Simon Jones and Gail Hawthorne
A Fellow of the Establishment of Civil Engineers, Simon Blanchflower CBE retired from his function as CEO of the East West Railway Firm in March 2022, having efficiently established the corporate and secured funding for the primary stage of the challenge which can join Oxford and Milton Keynes. He has had an extended profession main the event and supply of main rail infrastructure initiatives together with being the Main Programme Director on the Thameslink Programme. He’s additionally the Deputy Chair of the London Legacy Improvement Company which is accountable for securing the legacy from the London 2012 Olympics.
GCRE has additionally confirmed that Rob Thompson has formally joined GCRE as Director of Implementation from his earlier function as Operations Director for Celtic Vitality, the earlier landowners. Will Watson, Chief Govt of Celtic Vitality has additionally stepped down from his function as Non-Govt Director of GCRE.
Physician Debra Williams, Chair of GCRE stated:
“Led by Simon Jones as Chief Govt, we’re constructing the group that can ship the premier rail analysis, testing and validation centre in Europe, offering full and world main providers for the entire rail business.
“With the formal land acquisition from Celtic Vitality now full, we’re getting ready for the beginning of building with the intention of getting our industrial rolling inventory storage facility out there to the market throughout the subsequent 12 months. We’re grateful to Will for his contribution to the Board enabling us to work in shut collaboration with Celtic Vitality because the earlier land proprietor over the past two yr interval.
“We now sit up for formally welcoming Rob to the GCRE group as we scale-up able to ship our imaginative and prescient of turning into the ‘one cease store’ for railway innovation. We’re additionally delighted to be strengthening our Board with the appointment of Gail and Simon, each of whom carry a wealth of expertise within the supply of main infrastructure initiatives.”
The International Centre of Rail Excellence challenge is situated within the Dulais Valley in South Wales and is being supported by each the UK and Welsh Authorities.
The challenge is cut up in to a few core phases:
- Section 1 – The availability of sidings for rolling inventory from the summer time of 2023
- Section 2 – The constructing of two electrified take a look at loops, one excessive velocity take a look at loop 6.9Km lengthy and a 4km Infrastructure take a look at loop along with supporting infrastructure and buildings from 2024
- Section 3 – The addition of expanded stabling, upkeep, and commissioning amenities together with analysis amenities, lodge, and enterprise park in 2025 and ongoing.
The primary part of the masterplan building is anticipated to be accomplished by the center of 2025.
