09.02.16
Alstom finance boss replaces Butcher as Network Rail CFO
Alstom Transport’s senior vice president of finance in France, Jeremy Westlake, will take up the top financial role in Network Rail after Patrick Butcher’s announcement that he is leaving the position to take up the same role at Go-Ahead Group.
Westlake will join as chief financial officer from 15 February, taking the helm of all of Network Rail’s finance functions – including group finance, treasury, internal audit and risk, planning and regulation, and long-term planning and funding.
As a member of Network Rail’s executive committee, Westlake will report to chief exec Mark Carne and will sit on the company’s board as an executive director.
He will bring in a “wealth of experience” in senior roles across the transport, engineering and manufacturing sectors, both in the UK and overseas – including positions in France, Italy and Turkey.
The new finance chief also spent 14 years at Rolls-Royce in a variety of senior finance and supply chain roles in the UK and the US before moving to Alstom in 2013.
Carne, who said the CFO position has a vital role to play in ensuring Network Rail has the plans and funding in place to deliver an efficient railway, commented: “Jeremy brings with him significant leadership experience from the transport and engineering sectors, including a strong focus on driving continuous improvement, reducing costs and maximising efficiency.
“I would like to welcome him to Network Rail and know that he will continue Patrick’s excellent work as we deliver a bigger, better railway for Britain.”
He will take up the job in an interesting yet challenging time for the rail industry, just shortly before Nicola Shaw publishes her final report into the future of Network Rail which could ultimately revolutionise how it runs its tracks and asset portfolio.
Westlake, who is also a chartered accountant and has a Master’s in manufacturing, will replace Butcher as he leaves his longstanding position to become the CFO at Go-Ahead Group from May.