Vivarail, which so far is the first and only company in the UK that has designed and built zero-emission battery and hybrid battery trains, has appointed a new Business Development Director.
Matthew Lee, who has 14 years of experience in the rail sector, has been appointed to drive business growth and firmly establish Vivarail‘s position as leading the way to decarbonise the rail industry.
Before joining Vivarail, FirstGroup employed Matthew as its Commercial and Customer Experience Director, where he was responsible for successfully launching the open-access operator, Lumo.
After graduating from a Degree programme with the Institution of Railway Operators, Matthew has held positions with Great Western and MTR Crossrail where he has established a positive reputation throughout the rail industry, and regularly mentors aspiring rail professionals.
With Vivarail, Matthew will be responsible for leading the brand’s business development strategy. That is focussed on establishing battery technology as a cost-effective and time-efficient solution in cutting carbon, and in supercharging green recovery across the UK’s rail industry as it strives to meet its decarbonisation targets.
Steve McBride, Managing Director of Vivarail, said: “With the increasing need to reduce carbon emissions as part of the global climate challenge, zero-emission solutions for rail have never been so pertinent.
“In joining Vivarail, Matthew will now play a fundamental role in demonstrating the innovation behind our battery technology solutions as an alternative and cost-effective means to electrification, while engaging industry stakeholders across the UK and overseas. I am delighted to welcome Matthew to the business at such an important time in our journey and am in no doubt he will become a real asset to the team.”
Vivarail currently has Class 230 and Class 484 trains operating on the UK rail network. These are based on the bodyshell and bogies of London Underground D78 stock but are essentially brand-new battery-operated trains with everything replaced or upgraded.
Responses
I hope Mr Lee has not made an unwise career move and checked the financial viability of the company before attending any interview (ps, I am not related and have never met the gentleman)
Maybe Vivarail could convert the Class 230 DEMU/Battery-Hybrid trains that would be ideal to be used on the West Ealing-Greenford branch line and also used on Slough-Windsor & Eton Central, Maidenhead-Bourne End/Marlow, Twyford-Henley-on-Thames and Reading-Basingstoke routes. If GWR were to order those new trains.
And on the Reading-Redhill/Gatwick Airport route as well.