Scottish Rail Holdings announced that Joanne Maguire has been appointed interim managing director of ScotRail following Alex Hynes’ two-year secondment to the UK Government Department for Transport.

The appointment will be effective from Monday, April 15, 2024.

Network Rail announced that Liam Sumpter has been appointed managing director of Network Rail Scotland.

Sumpter will take up his new post, on secondment for the same two year period as Hynes, on April 15.

Maguire, who has been working as chief operating officer, joined ScotRail Trains on April 1, 2022, leading the business through the transition to the new public body.

Before joining ScotRail, Maguire was Vice Principal of Resources at the University of the West of Scotland and has held senior leadership roles at City of Glasgow College, as well as in the manufacturing and retail sectors.

“Transport Scotland, Scottish Rail Holdings, and Network Rail remain committed to the Alliance Agreement, which has delivered collaborative working between ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland and ensures a close relationship between track and train – for example, the joint Integrated Control in Springburn, one of the first of its kind in the UK railway,” said ScotRail.

“The organisations will work together over the coming months to update and further strengthen the Alliance Agreement between ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland.”

David Lowrie, ScotRail chairman and Scottish Rail Holdings chief executive, said: “Joanne Maguire has been an outstanding leader of ScotRail over the past two years and I am pleased that she has accepted the role of interim Managing Director.

“I know she will continue to work with the team to build on our recent successes, including strong passenger growth, customer satisfaction, and punctuality.

“We remain fully committed to the Alliance Agreement, which has delivered close collaborative working between ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland for the benefit of our customers.

“Over the coming months we will work with Network Rail and Transport Scotland to update and further strengthen the Alliance Agreement to continue delivering the best possible service for our customers.”

Maguire said: “I am very proud to take on this new role and grateful for the opportunity to build on the work we have been doing together at ScotRail to deliver a safe, reliable, and green railway for the people of Scotland.

“Everyone at ScotRail continues to work hard to increase passenger numbers, grow revenue, and deliver value for money for the taxpayer. I am looking forward to continuing to play my part in this new role.”

Hynes said: “I am delighted for Jo personally and know she will do a great job. ScotRail is in safe hands with her at the helm.

“ScotRail’s greatest asset is its people and I know Jo will lead them to even greater success.”