Neil Holm, who has been the Programme Director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade since January 2021, has been announced as its new Managing Director.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a multi-billion-pound project that will provide faster, cleaner, and more reliable trains to the key artery between Manchester, Leeds, and York. It will transform journeys for millions of passengers across the North, by electrifying the 70-mile route to allow its use by greener trains. Additional improvements include fully digital signalling, doubling tracks to enable more frequent and faster trains, upgrading stations to accommodate longer trains, and providing greater accessibility.

Neil graduated from Cambridge University with a post-graduate degree in Design, Manufacture and Management and gained an undergraduate degree from Strathclyde University in Mechanical Engineering. He spent his early career in Military Aerospace, then went on to become programme director for the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, where he was responsible for its assembly, commissioning, sea trials, and final delivery to the Royal Navy. Before this, he was head of programme for the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Neil Holm, said: “There is an exciting future for rail in the North of England, and I am proud to lead a programme of thousands of brilliant people that will transform rail travel across the North in the coming years.

“Work is well underway across the route spanning 70 miles between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. We’ve already delivered key upgrades across the route and have a big year ahead, including the ongoing construction of a new station at Morley, upcoming major works at Stalybridge beginning in March, and several other major steps in our plans throughout 2023.

“I look forward to the challenge of delivering the many benefits of the Transpennine Route Upgrade for the millions of people that live along the line.”

“I hold a lifelong passion for engineering and guiding ambitious visions from concept to completion. I am excited to bring my expertise and experience to help deliver a better future for rail in the North of England.”