Civil Aviation Authority chief Andrew Haines. Steve Parsons/PA
Network Rail has announced that the Civil Aviation Authority chief Andrew Haines is to succeed Mark Carne as chief executive of the government-owned company later this year.
Haines, a former managing director of two train operating companies, is to oversee Network Rail’s transformation to work in closer partnership with private sector operators.
He will earn a salary more than £150,000 smaller that of his predecessor.
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Carne’s salary was revealed in December to be in the bracket £745,000-£749,999, making him government’s highest earner. The Times has reported that Haines would be earning £588,000 including benefits, plus a performance-related bonus of up to 9%. He currently earns £310,000 at CAA.
Haines’s first job was as a left luggage clerk at London Victoria, and he has since done stints as managing director of South West Trains, and managing director of the Rail division for First Group plc, which became the biggest and most profitable train operation company under his leadership.
He joined the aviation watchdog as chief executive in 2009, where he oversaw cost-cutting at the organisation.
Announcing the appointment, Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy said Haines had been the most outstanding candidate in the appointment process.
“Andrew’s broad experience of rail and transport, and his reputation for relentless delivery and improvement makes him the ideal candidate to carry on with the transformation of Network Rail that has been led by Mark Carne. Britain’s railways are crucial for Britain’s prosperity: connecting people with jobs, goods with markets, and stimulating new housing and economic growth.”
He added that Haines would be responsible for the railway improvements set out in Network Rail’s strategic business plan for 2019-24. The company has faced criticism over budgeting failures and cost overruns which led to the abandonment of some projects, including electrification of lines.
Carne, the Department for Transport-owned company’s chief since 2014, had “been exceptional in his personal leadership of the delivery of the biggest ever upgrade programme in the railway’s history”, Hendy said.
“His focus on devolution and empowering people has transformed safety and the performance culture of the organisation. Mark leaves a significant legacy for Andrew to build on.”
Haines said he was delighted to join the company. He added: “It will be an immense privilege to work alongside the dedicated, professional colleagues at Network Rail and many partner organisations to deliver closer working between track and train, embed devolution and turning the digital railway strategy into reality whilst efficiently delivering on challenging safety, operational, engineering and investment commitments.”