Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the parent company of rail operators Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern, has announced a number of internal promotions and appointments.

Ralph Pidsley has been appointed Chief Financial Officer after holding the position on an interim basis. He has extensive experience, having previously held senior positions with BAE Systems, Siemens Mobility, and Transport for London.

Chris Fowler has been appointed as Network Operations Director, a joint position between Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail, having previously been Customer Services Director at Southern and Gatwick Express.

Stephen MacCallaugh has been appointed as Head of Stations for Southern, after being with Gatwick Express for eight years. Sophie Hill has replaced Stephen as Head of Gatwick Express.

Emma Pickard has been appointed as Train Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern.

Patrick Verwer, Chief Executive Officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “It’s fantastic to be celebrating the success of our employees as we prepare to tackle the year ahead. I’m proud to have a strong team supporting me who not only bring with them a wealth of experience in the sector, but years of experience at GTR too. I will continue to work with them all closely and look forward to what we can achieve together.”

Ralph Pidsley, Chief Financial Officer:

Ralph is a chartered management accountant who has previously worked for several high-profile brands. He joined Govia Thameslink Railway on an interim basis in 2022, but now as Chief Financial Officer, his role encompasses key CFO functions including accounting, financial control, reporting, and planning, alongside several other large departments including IT, internal audit, commercial, procurement, and programme portfolio management. Ralph will also work closely with the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway’s owning groups.

Chris Fowler, Network Operations Director:

Chris will oversee the day-to-day management of the entire Govia Thameslink Railway network, and with his team will aim to deliver the best service possible by focusing on train performance, real-time information for passengers, and being able to quickly and efficiently recover services whenever there is disruption. Chris has worked in the rail industry for 15 years after graduating from King’s College London and joining London Underground’s General Management Scheme where he carried out several operational and strategic roles.

Stephen MacCallaugh, Head of Stations at Southern:

Stephen joined Govia Thameslink Railway as a Local Development Manager before promotion to Head of Gatwick Express in October 2016, and then General Manager for the brand in July 2019. Whilst at Gatwick Express, he played an integral part in the redevelopment project at Gatwick Airport Station. Stephen began his railway career in 2007 as a Train Presentation Manager with First Capital Connect and joined Gatwick Express when it was taken over by the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise in July 2015.

Sophie Hill, Head of Gatwick Express:

Sophie joined the railway industry via a graduate scheme at Transport for London where she gained hands-on experience in station and driver management. In 2018 she was appointed Area Station Manager for Southern working out of London Victoria and London Bridge and helped launch the ‘One Team’ project. In November 2021 she was appointed Area On-Board Manager for Southern.

Emma Pickard, Train Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern:

Emma will be responsible for overseeing competency, welfare, and engagement with drivers and working closely with our union colleagues, and will report directly to Govia Thameslink Railway’s Chief Operating Officer. She has been in the rail industry for nearly 20 years, first working in train planning for a small consultancy, then moving into operations. In 2016 Emma joined Govia Thameslink Railway, working in various roles including Head of Performance and Head of Programmes.