About East West Railway Company (EWR Co)

In 2017, 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 role is to consider and challenge these plans with fresh thinking to ensure we create a railway that is:  

  • Simpler for all customers 
  • Cheaper for the taxpayer 
  • Greener for the environment 
  • Quicker than industry norms 
  • Safe and secure  
     

We’re now responsible for designing, developing and delivering the section of East West Rail between Bletchley and Cambridge – creating a railway which is efficient and cost effective to operate and maintain – while overseeing the remaining works required between Oxford and Bletchley. 

Our colleagues are delivering a railway that’s fit for the future

Our company is made up of talented individuals  who live both along the route as well as further afield. We’ve recruited experts with a range of backgrounds, both in an out of the rail industry, and an authentic commitment of using their skills and experience to deliver a railway that's fit for the communities it will serve for generations to come.

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Our purpose, vision and mission

    We aim to unlock sustainable economic growth – attracting investment in the UK, connecting businesses, creating jobs and making the communities between Oxford and Cambridge a place that people want to live, work and settle down.  

    To achieve our purpose, East West Rail needs to be a reliable part of people’s daily lives – simple to use and easy to access, getting customers where they need to be on time.  

    EWR also needs to be cost effective and delivered in an environmentally sustainable way, so that the taxpayer can invest with confidence in the first place.  

    To deliver our vision, we aim to challenge the status quo as a trailblazer for industry reform.  

    We prioritise change that enables our vision – designing an integrated railway so that it’s cheaper to operate, simpler to use and greener for the environment, as well as deploying new methods and modern technology to reduce capital cost.  

Our team

We're built on a range of values which we work to breathe into our project and our company culture – thinking differently, learning quickly, sharing openly and having fun by taking pride in what we do, together. We’re a dedicated bunch who are committed to connecting communities in the region, and we’re incredibly proud of the people who make our company what it is. 

With decades of valuable and varied industry experience, we handpick the best talent and are a group of around 350 skilled and motivated experts who are focused on delivering East West Rail for the communities it will serve. 
 
If you’d like to learn more about joining our team, head over to the careers page.

Meet our Senior Leadership Team below. 

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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:

  • Neil Sachdev MBE

Non-Executive Director Members:

  • Anne Baldock
  • Lynette Ryals
  • Caroline Botwood
  • Christopher Walton
  • Louise Ruppel

Department for Transport Observer:

  • Cavendish Elithorn

Executive Directors:

  • David Hughes - CEO
  • Sam Turner - Chief Financial Officer
  • Will Gallagher - Chief Strategy & Development Officer

 

A quick guide to whose helping us deliver East West Rail

    The Department for Transport work with agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. They plan and invest in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.

    The Department for Transport are our main shareholder and monitor our governance and performance. 

    Read more about the Department for Transport here.

    Network Rail own and operate railway infrastructure in England, Wales and Scotland on behalf of the nation. They also manage rail timetabling and 20 of the largest stations in England, Scotland and Wales.

    With our oversight, Network Rail are a key member of the East West Rail Alliance, who are constructing the section of the East West Rail project between Bicester and Bletchley. They're also a key partner as we look towards integrating East West Rail with the existing rail network. 

    Read more about Network Rail here.

    The East West Rail Alliance was procured by Network Rail to construct the section of East West Rail between Bicester and Bletchley, and is made up of Network Rail, Atkins, Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail.

    The East West Rail Consortium – a group of local authorities and businesses – was formed in 1995 with an interest in improving access to and from East Anglia and the Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area. They are strong advocates for East West Rail, and we liaise closely with them to make sure that local voices are being heard.

    Read more about the East West Rail Consortium here.

Key Corporate Documents