New Director General of Rail Executive announced
Bernadette Kelly will join Department for Transport in September.
Bernadette Kelly has been appointed as DfT’s new Director General for the Rail Executive.
Bernadette is currently Director General for Business and Local Growth at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), where she is responsible for government’s policy towards business sectors including advanced manufacturing and services as well as local and regional growth. Bernadette’s career includes many years working with business and a strong focus on the economy, including the interests of consumers.
Bernadette will join DfT in late September and will start with a period of induction, including time spent out and about with the rail industry. She is taking over from Clare Moriarty who was recently promoted to become the Permanent Secretary at Defra.
DfT’s Permanent Secretary Philip Rutnam said:
Bernadette will bring to the department fantastic breadth and depth of experience and great expertise in creating strong partnerships. She is joining the department at a key time when what we deliver will make a huge difference to people’s lives. She is taking a great job – it will be challenging and fast paced, but also extremely rewarding, improving daily travel and helping to create and sustain jobs and skills for the future. She will be working with a great team and building on strong foundations.
Bernadette Kelly said:
I’m delighted to be joining DfT to lead the Rail Executive. There are clearly big challenges ahead for the rail industry in the UK and I’m looking forward to working with the sector and my team to deliver a great train service for the public and help grow the economy.
Ahead of Bernadette’s arrival, Brian Etheridge will continue to act as Director General on an interim basis.
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