Sir John Kingman has been confirmed today, 16 October 2026, as the first Chair of Great British Railways (GBR). The government stated that this appointment marks another important step towards bringing the railways back under public control.
Sir John will begin his duties immediately. He is expected to play a critical role in shaping the new organisation's design, continuing the integration of train and track operations, and driving industry readiness for transition as the Railways Bill progresses through Parliament.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander commented that Sir John Kingman’s appointment is a defining moment in the mission to prioritise passengers and rebuild Britain’s railways. Sir John Kingman stated that the opportunity to lead GBR was one he could not let pass, aiming to help build a simpler, more unified railway that puts passengers and customers first.
The headquarters site for GBR at Becketwell, Derby, was revealed this week. This site is projected to bring hundreds of rail jobs to the city and an estimated £151 million boost to the region’s economy.