To expand the expertise available on its Board, the West Somerset Railway has appointed two new directors to fill two newly-created posts.

The railway’s directors meet regularly to initiate and review policy and work closely with the staff management team and the near 1,000 volunteer who work to keep the 25-mile-long heritage railway working.

The new director posts are voluntary and the vacancies were widely advertised.

Malcolm Smith and Robin Wichard were successful applicants, and will immediately start working with the Board and senior staff as Board Advisers for an initial three-month period.

As per normal practice, the Director posts will be confirmed at the end of the three months.

Until recently Malcolm Smith was Managing Director of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, as well as a qualified volunteer driver, fireman, and controller.

He had previously had a long and successful career in television news and other television areas where he worked at the most senior levels.

Malcolm lives in Woolacombe, North Devon and will be taking up the position of Operations Director, and has a degree in physics and an MBA. Before attending university he worked in a junior management position with British Rail.

Robin Wichard will be taking up the position of Director (External Fund Raising). As a member of the senior leadership team at West Somerset College, he held several lead positions, including responsibility for student behaviour modification strategies and safeguarding.

Robin’s subject leadership was in the humanities, including history and other related subjects, and his degree was in Archaeological Studies. He has authored several books with a historical focus.

After leaving teaching he joined the West Somerset Railway as a volunteer where he has undertaken various roles including initiating and managing the very successful 1940s event, and station master at Blue Anchor and, most recently, Minehead.

Chairman, Jonathan Jones-Pratt, said: “We are delighted that Malcolm and Robin have agreed to join us. Both bring wide senior-level management experience together with very significant heritage railway experience. For us, this is an ideal combination of expertise. We very much look forward to working with them.”

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