A new Chief Executive Officer and Finance Director has been appointed to Scottish Rail Holdings by Transport Minister Graeme Dey.

The holding company, which is being set up to oversee the delivery of high performing services by ScotRail Trains Limited on behalf of Ministers, when the current Abellio ScotRail contract ends, is on track to get underway early next year.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Gibb and Finance Director David Lowrie have been appointed on a fixed term basis and work also continues to explore the process for recruiting non-executive posts within Scottish Rail Holdings.

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Transport Minister Graeme Dey said: "I'm pleased to announce that two senior management roles have been appointed to Scottish Rail Holdings, they both bring with them a wealth of knowledge in the rail industry.

"We are on track to delivering SRH in the new year which will provide ScotRail services within the public sector under Scottish Government control and facilitate the smoothest transition possible for rail passengers and staff on 1st April 2022.

"The Scottish Government is of the view that this is most robust and sustainable model available under current UK rail legislation, which we have no powers to change.

"It strikes a balance between the ability of experienced rail professionals to make operational decisions and overall accountability to the Scottish Government. We would also expect to see strong partnerships with Network Rail and other parts of the industry as a key feature of the new arrangements.

"We expect that the formal transfer of ScotRail staff to the new arrangements will commence over the coming months and full details and support will be provided to all of those affected in good time."