Hong Kong rail operator MTR has appointed a new European operations director to oversee the company’s expansion strategy for the UK and Europe.
Oliver Bratton will lead the UK and European office’s work on development of operations strategies for franchise and concessions bids, as well as providing support for the London Overground and Stockholm Metro management teams.
Oliver joined MTR’s London office this month and will report to Jeremy Long, chief executive, European Business.
The announcement follows the appointment of John Barlass as MTR Europe’s engineering director.
Jeremy Long said: “Oliver’s expertise will be valuable for MTR’s Thameslink bid, and for our future bids both here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
“Oliver’s previous experience of working in partnership with Network Rail during the London Overground upgrade gives him current, practical knowledge of managing the kinds of issues the next Thameslink franchisee will face during the London Bridge redevelopment.”
Oliver Bratton added: “I wanted to join MTR because it’s a corporation with massive potential. MTR’s combination of infrastructure and operations expertise is second-to-none.
“With the challenges of more bids in the UK – potentially including Crossrail – and elsewhere in Europe, this opportunity was too good to turn down.”
