The Department for Transport and Network Rail worked on behalf of the government to create Great British Railways (GBR). GBR was a consequence of The Williams-Shapps Plan and is a proposed public body which will replace Network Rail as the operator of rail infrastructure. For the majority of England, it will also be responsible for train operations by integrating existing operators, the setting of timetables and fares, and the collection of fare revenue. Since 2021, The Hub has been heavily involved in the design, delivery and continued development of GBR, working closely with Network Rail, the Transition Team and DfT.

• Authored and coordinated the Full Five Case Outline Business Case (Strategic, Economic, Management, Financial, Commercial) for a critical step in the development and approval of GBR – the creation of a distinct organisation (GBRTT) within Network Rail’s corporate structure.
• Led the design of GBR as the interim Head of GBR Design, and working across key design workstreams. This includes designing local integration achieving vertical integration of the railway.
• Designed and implemented GBRTT’s corporate governance including arrangements with Network Rail and DfT and coordinated the legal stand-up of “GBRTTCo” in 2022, and led the creation GBRTT’s inaugural business plan setting out their vision, goals, delivery commitments, timelines, budget and KPIs.
• Developed the vision for early and target state GBR, completed option analysis and defined the operating model for the commercial elements of the GBRTT and GBR operating model designs including for the management of passenger operators and the Strategic Freight Unit.
• Designed a competition process for selecting a location for the future national headquarters for GBR, evaluated the applications from towns and cities and supported the delivery of a public vote enabling a location to be selected.

• We utilised an agile approach which enabled full delivery and stakeholder approval.
• Managed the relationship between Network Rail and government to deliver solutions which met both parties’ objectives.
• Worked with stakeholders – including DfT, Network Rail & RDG – to ensure their views and concerns were captured within our outputs during a challenging transition for the industry.
• Applied frameworks such as RACI, process mapping & benefits mapping to summarise the complexities of GBR and the industry.
• In reviewing GBRTT’s governance structure at different stages of its implementation, we were able to work closely with GBRTT’s Executive Team to create a simpler, better governance solution for its users.
• Recognised for outstanding work by Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines and DfT Director General Conrad Bailey: ‘we wanted to thank you for your contribution. This was no easy feat but your determination and focus was extremely valued’.