SCOTRAIL chief Steve Montgomery will keep his job when Abellio take over the franchise in two weeks time, the Dutch firm has announced.

 

It follows industry speculation that a new managing director was being lined up for the ten-year contract from April 1.

However, Abellio stressed the importance of "strong continuity" and the new team will continue to be led by Mr Montgomery as managing director.

Sean Duffy has been appointed into the new role of client and communications director.

Many of the current ScotRail directors will also stay, although Network Rail retail director Jonathan Crick has been drafted in as interim commercial director pending a permanent appointment.

Following the decision by Ken Docherty to retire, Angus Thom has been drafted into the role of acting engineering director.

Former Southern train operator human resources director Matt Watson becomes business transformation director.

Abellio UK managing director Dominic Booth said: "It is well recognised ScotRail has been a successful franchise under the leadership of the current team.

"Whilst Abellio are extremely ambitious and have committed to significant improvements, these will be delivered by building on the good work done by ScotRail in recent years; we're not about starting from scratch.

"In fact, one of our aims in transition to the new franchise is to avoid distracting everyone too much from the important 'business as usual' of delivering ScotRail services for customers. "Therefore the best way to start the new franchise is with some strong continuity combined with a fresh perspective and two or three new faces."

The company said a final shortlist stage had been drawn up for the sustainability and safety assurance director position, which will be

Abellio hopes to appoint a sustainability and safety assurance director by April 1.