Caroline Donaldson, Managing Director of West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), has decided to retire from her current full-time role at the end of March 2022.
Caroline has had a long and successful career in the transport sector, joining the rail industry 22 years ago. She held various roles at Network Rail, leading several transformation programmes and implementing an award winning risk management system. Subsequently she worked at London Underground, before joining First Rail in 2010. As Bid Director, Caroline steered FirstGroup and Trenitalia’s successful joint bid for the West Coast Partnership. Subsequently, Caroline was appointed as Managing Director of WCPD to establish the ‘Shadow Operator’ for High Speed 2.
Commenting, Steve Montgomery, First Rail Managing Director, said:
“Under Caroline’s leadership, West Coast Partnership Development has delivered robust performance while designing, developing and mobilising high speed service operations and associated conventional services as the Shadow Operator for High Speed 2. Caroline has built a strong team with close working relationships with our partners, including DfT, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail. Caroline leaves West Coast Partnership in a healthy position as discussions continue with the DfT in respect of a new directly awarded National Rail Contract.”
Caroline will continue to provide strategic support and expertise to the First Rail leadership team on a part time basis. An announcement regarding a successor will be made in due course.