Virgin train boss to oversee rail industry
Transport Secretary Stephen Byers is to appoint a senior Virgin Trains executive, Richard Bowker, as chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, it was reported today.
Mr Bowker, commercial director of the Virgin empire and co-chairman of Virgin Rail, is expected to succeed Sir Alastair Morton as the most powerful figure in the rail industry at the end of this year.
The 35-year-old agreed to take on the £500,000-a-year job 10 days ago after being approached by Mr Byers, The Independent reported today, and his appointment is set to cause outcry among rival train operators.
As SRA chairman he will oversee the nation's rail network and the new company to be created from Railtrack, which was put into administration by Mr Byers earlier this month.
The Times said the Transport Secretary is tipped to use tomorrow's question time in the Commons to outline a several hundred million pound loan to Railtrack's successor - a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and without shareholders.
A spokesman for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions refused to comment on the reported appointment.
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