Steve Montgomery to remain at ScotRail helm

Steve Montgomery will stay in post as managing director when Abellio takes over. Picture: Wattie Cheung

SCOTRAIL chief Steve Montgomery will keep his job when Abellio takes over the train operating franchise in two weeks, the Dutch firm announced yesterday, writes Alastair Dalton.

However, a shake-up could follow at the end of the year when the joint head of a new “alliance” with track owner Network Rail is due to be appointed.

Abellio said the closer-working structure would involve a “combined leadership team”.

Mr Montgomery, who has run ScotRail for FirstGroup since 2009, will remain managing director from 1 April along with many of the current directors.

Network Rail retail director Jonathan Crick will become interim commercial director, while ex-Southern train operating company human resources director Matt Watson is appointed business transformation director.

Abellio said changing franchises was a “highly disruptive process” and stressed the importance of “strong continuity”.

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