New managing directors announced for West Coast Partnership rail franchise
Posted: 27 November 2019 | Global Railway Review | No comments yet
FirstGroup and Trenitalia have announced two new managing directors and confirmed the company’s executive team for the West Coast Partnership rail franchise.
The two transport companies that will jointly run the West Coast Partnership, FirstGroup and Trenitalia, have announced the appointment of two Managing Directors for the franchise.
Caroline Donaldson
Caroline Donaldson is currently the Bid Director at FirstGroup, and has previously held a variety of positions across the transport sector – including working for Network Rail and London Underground.
Donaldson will become the Managing Director of the West Coast Partnership Development. This will provide a variety of design and development services in order to support the future operation of high-speed rail between the North and London. As Bid Director, Donaldson steered the successful joint bid for partnership between FirstGroup and Trenitalia.
Phil Whittingham
Phil Whittingham is currently Managing Director of Virgin Trains, and has worked with the company since 1999, progressing from Group Management Accountant, to Finance Director, to Managing Director in 2013.
Whittingham will become Managing Director of the InterCity West Coast business, running passenger rail services between London, the Midlands, North West, Scotland, and North Wales. Other responsibilities will include managing a company that will oversee substantial investment into new and refurbished trains, improved stations, and additional services and capacity.
Speaking of the appointments, Managing Director of First Rail, Steve Montgomery, said: “We look forward to operating the West Coast Partnership. These appointments demonstrate our determination to deliver a range of improvements for InterCity West Coast passengers during the first phase of the partnership and help deliver the railway of tomorrow. Our aim is to provide exceptional service as standard for our customers. Phil and Caroline bring great experience, insight and drive to deliver the significant improvements we’re committed to while also establishing the plans and initiatives which will form the bedrock of future high-speed rail services.”
NEW REPORT FROM GLOBAL RAILWAY REVIEW: Track Insight – Track Maintenance | Transforming Track Maintenance Through Technology
Our latest expert-led Track Insight explores how industry leaders are revolutionising the future of track maintenance through cutting-edge innovation and real-world strategies.
From automation and robotics now streamlining inspections and repairs, to predictive maintenance powered by IoT sensors and advanced analytics, the rail sector is entering a new era of precision and efficiency. Companies like Goldschmidt, Bentley Systems, and MxV Rail are leading the charge, redefining how infrastructure is managed with AI, machine learning, and digital twins to reduce downtime and extend asset life.
In this new data-rich landscape, organisations such as Amtrak and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are demonstrating how to turn vast streams of information—from track geometry to environmental monitoring into actionable intelligence for safer, smarter networks.
Download this insightful, practical guide for FREE and see how your operations can evolve – READ FOR FREE NOW!
