Severn Valley Railway Managing Director, Helen Smith, is to leave the role in 2023, the heritage railway has announced.

The railway says that Helen is leaving to take up another role after three years as Managing Director.

Helen is to remain at the railway over the next few months to work with SVR Chairman Mike Ball, and Vice Chairman Jonathan Dunster, to allow for a smooth handover.

More information is to be released as soon as possible.

Mike Ball said: “Helen has made a phenomenal contribution to the SVR. In the three years that she’s been with us she has steered the railway through the devastating impact of Covid, ensuring we secured substantial government support and emergency grant funding to keep us going when we were unable to operate.

“She successfully oversaw the reopening of the Railway in very changed and testing circumstances, with the country still in partial lockdown. It’s a testament to her leadership that we won a national VisitEngland excellence award for Resilience and Innovation last year.”