New acting chair appointed at Network Rail

Network Rail has appointed Mike Putnam as acting chair of Network Rail after Lord Hendy's appointment as Minister of State for Transport.

Putnam has been the most senior non-executive director at Network Rail and has been a board member since 2018. He has extensive experience across multiple sectors, including development and the services sectors. Before joining the Network Rail board, Putnam was president and CEO of Skanska UK.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: "Mike has been an invaluable member of our Board for over six years and his immense experience will continue to be a huge asset to the Board, to me and to the company."

Network Rail acting chair, Mike Putnam, said: “Peter’s are big shoes to fill as I help to push Network Rail forward to address its key priorities of running a safe and better performing railway, whilst helping Andrew to get the company, and the whole industry ready, for its journey into a new chapter with the establishment of Great British Railways.”

Putnam is also a non-executive director of TransPennine Route Upgrade, and is expected to remain in that role as well as a board member at Thames Tideway. Network Rail has confirmed that the process to find a successor for Lord Hendy is due to start soon and will be led by new Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh.