Network Rail has announced the appointment of Julien Dehornoy, CEO of Keolis Downer, the largest intermodal public transport provider in Australia, as their new NW&C deputy regional managing director.
Reporting to the NW&C regional managing director, Julien will support with the leadership duties of the region, which is the economic spine linking long-distance business travellers, commuters and visitors to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and other world-beating tourist destinations. It also boasts the West Coast Main Line, one of Europe’s busiest mixed-use railways that moves food, consumer goods, building materials and fuel around the country.
Julien will oversee the NW&C Passenger function responsible for the sponsorship of the region’s £6bn major enhancement portfolio. His team will also create the strategic advice for the future development of the railway and options for future investment and change, as well as the integration of major enhancements, such as HS2 into the conventional rail network.
With more than 20 years of experience leading large and complex transport operations, Julien was regional managing director of France’s national state-owned railway company SNCF. He was also CEO for SNCF America and Chief of Staff to the Minister for Transport in France. In 2019, he became CEO for Yarra Trams - the operator of the Melbourne tram network before becoming the CEO for their Australian owning group Keolis Downer in 2023 that also provides bus, train and ferry services. Julien has a strong focus on building bridges between the travelling public and rail workers, the “wheel” and the “rail”, the transport authorities and rail operators, making rail a truly integrated transport mode.
Commenting on his appointment, Julien Dehornoy, said: “Joining Network Rail is a fantastic opportunity in a career focused on making rail travel a seamless and the preferred travel option for all passengers.
“The British rail industry is at a critical point of its history, and it is extraordinarily exciting to be joining at this time. I am looking forward to bringing a fresh pair of eyes, but also learning from the incredible experience of my new colleagues, the travelling public and the many stakeholders of the renowned British railways.”
Rob McIntosh, regional managing director of North West and Central Region: “We are delighted to have appointed Julien who brings with him a wealth of experience working in public transport across three continents in both the private and public sectors. Julien is joining us at an opportune time as we begin to integrate rail and track as part of much-needed rail reform.
“The new deputy managing director role will bolster the rail industry’s senior leadership expertise with new thinking from other parts of the world to continue to help us deliver a safe, efficient and reliable railway that drives economic growth and better supports the communities we serve.”
Julien is a General Director on the Australian Railway Association Board, the membership trade body for the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand. He is also a member of the Champions of Change Rail Group, which brings together representatives from the rail sector to work across organisations to achieve inclusive gender equality and an increase in the representation of women in leadership.
Two deputy regional managing director roles have been created by Network Rail for both Eastern and NW&C regions to bring in fresh thinking and expertise to prepare the industry for rail reform as part of Great British Railways. Jamie Burles was appointed Eastern’s deputy regional managing director in January 2025. Julien Dehornoy will join the NW&C Region in April 2025.
Image credit: Network Rail
