Edinburgh Council is losing a senior officer in the transport team as Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) announce the appointment of Hannah Ross as its new Chief Executive.
Ms Ross is currently Head of Major Projects and Commissioning at The City of Edinburgh Council, and she will join SRH on 30 September.
Ms Ross has been the lead on the Trams to Newhaven project since 2018, securing business case approval and successfully delivering the construction, testing, and commissioning of the project prior to the opening of the extension to the line in June last year. She was recently recognised for this work with an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Transport’ award at the Scottish Transport Awards last month.
She will lead the arm’s length company SRH which was set up and is owned by The Scottish Government. It has responsibility for the ownership and oversight of both ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, following their transfer into public ownership in April 2022 and June 2023 respectively.
Ms Ross is a qualified lawyer and already works closely with Edinburgh’s public transport companies, collaborating on policy, delivery, and governance.
As well as Chief Executive of Scottish Rail Holdings, Ms Ross will also chair the boards of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.
Richard Cairns, Scottish Rail Holdings Chairperson, said: “Hannah brings a wealth of experience to the role of Chief Executive, having successfully led a number of major projects, most recently overseeing the introduction of trams to Newhaven.
“From the outset of the recruitment process, it was clear that Hannah has the knowledge, experience, and leadership skills and was the outstanding candidate for this role. Her focus on how best to deliver for passengers is something that impressed me and will be vital in helping to deliver for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.”
Hannah Ross, incoming Scottish Rail Holdings Chief Executive, said: “The railway in Scotland is a vital part of our economy and society, connecting people to work, education, entertainment, and family and friends. I look forward to leading the team at Scottish Rail Holdings and working closely with colleagues across the rail industry, particularly ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, to deliver the best possible service to customers.
“I’m passionate about growing public transport given the positive impact it can have on economic growth and opportunities for communities, and crucially, the part it plays in our drive to net zero.”
Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Scott Arthur MP said: “I’d like to congratulate Hannah on her new position as Chief Executive for Scottish Rail Holdings – a great opportunity that she simply couldn’t pass up.
“With over a decade of service to the Council, we’re all extremely grateful to Hannah for her expertise, dedication and professionalism. Amongst her many achievements, she played a leading role in delivering the multi award-winning Trams to Newhaven project, which has proved to be a great success for our city and its residents.
“She leaves with our very best wishes for the future.”
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