Company Overview
In 2018, the Department for Transport created the East West Railway Company - our Company - to look at plans being developed for a new railway between Oxford and Cambridge.
The original plans were developed by the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the East West Rail Alliance.
Our job is to consider and challenge these plans with fresh thinking. To do that, we are now responsible for planning the section of East West Rail between Bletchley and Cambridge, while overseeing delivery of the section between Bicester and Bletchley – which is being delivered by the East West Rail Alliance.
What sets us apart

Creating new connections
Not just laying down steel and concrete, we're focused on designing a railway that is most likely to create connections between local communities

Rooted in community
The views of the community the railway serves are central to our decision-making process

Environment at the forefront
We are exploring options for advancing low carbon design and green energy to power our trains

A unified goal - from planning through to operations
Every decision we make is informed by a single, unified goal to deliver the best service for our passengers and our communities.
Our team
We were founded on a range of values which we work to breathe into our project and our company culture - being open, bold, trusted, focusing on our customers and having fun - we’re incredibly proud of the people who make our company what it is.
With decades of valuable and varied industry experience, we know how to spot the best talent and are a group of around 100 skilled and motivated experts who are dedicated to delivering East West Rail.
Meet our Senior Leadership Team below.

Simon Blanchflower CBE - Chief Executive Officer

Will Gallagher - Strategy Director

James Norman - Corporate Services Director

Ian Parker - Programme Delivery Director

Simon Scott - Engineering Director

Margarita Ziborova - Head of People & Culture

Roland George - General Counsel and Company Secretary

Ian Willetts - Head of HSSQ
The East West Railway Company Board
The East West Railway Company (EWR Co) Board is responsible for establishing appropriate corporate policies and scrutinising major decisions, whilst holding EWR Co Management and EWR Co’s CEO to account. The membership of the Board is:
Chair:
- Rob Brighouse
Non-Executive Director Members:
-
Simon Murray
-
Dyan Crowther
-
Anne Baldock
-
Lynette Ryals
-
Joanna Whittington
Executive Member:
- Simon Blanchflower CBE
Department for Transport Observer:
-
Cavendish Elithorn
Key Corporate Documents
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DocumentFile Type / Size
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2018-19 Annual ReportPDF - 1.3MB
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2019-20 Annual ReportPDF - 3.2MB
Project Delivery
We are delivering East West Rail in partnership with a range of stakeholders - who vary depending on the area of the route. Learn more about who are partners are, and how they're helping us deliver East West Rail.
Learn moreCareers at East West Railway Company
At East West Railway Company, we’re changing the way rail projects are delivered. We’re hiring talented, creative problem-solvers, bringing together a talented team with diverse experiences, backgrounds and skills. Sound interesting?
Learn more