Andy Castledine Joins the PLC Board

Following a recent round of interviews, the PLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Castledine to the Board. Andy comes with a background of a varied career on the national rail network predominantly in operational roles for various Train Operating Companies and more recently, working as an independent rail operations consultant. 

A graduate of the acclaimed Transport Management degree at Aston University, Andy has 20 years of involvement in Britain’s railways from the frontline to executive level, and has developed an immense understanding of railway operations, latterly focusing on research, strategic advice as well as business improvement, commercial development and due diligence.  He has worked in and around the rail franchise tendering process, operational performance improvement or new railway business concepts through provision of timetable and capacity.  Andy's experience within multi-disciplinary teams covers resource and operational strategy, station operations, workforce planning, timetable development, and performance improvement. Alongside an extensive career in the UK rail industry, Andy is also a supporter of rail preservation, having spent much time in the years before full time employment volunteering on the Ffestiniog Railway in north Wales. He is also a tutor with the Institution of Railway Operators.

Jonathan Jones-Pratt PLC Chairman said:

“I am delighted to welcome Andy Castledine to the PLC. Andy’s appointment represents the next step in our work to strengthen the PLC Board with people of proven ability and experience around railways and their operation. Andy will initially be using his operational knowledge to help the Board and PLC staff to prepare the railway for reopening and to support the work to develop our processes and procedures to enable us to do that in a safe and responsible way”.

Andy Castledine said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed to the PLC Board. I am looking forward to visiting the railway, meeting people and understanding how best I can support them, and the Board, in safely preparing the railway for reopening. In future, I will be supporting the railway and board colleagues in delivering a safe, sustainable, operating railway. The WSR has a fantastic future, and I am delighted to be part of it.”