You can find biographies of all our current board members below.

You can also find out to whom our board is accountable, as well as view their approvals and responsibilities. The board meets at least eight times a year, and the minutes are made available following each meeting.

Sir Andrew Haines, chief executive

Appointed to the board: 2018

Skills and experience

Andrew became chief executive of Network Rail in August 2018. Following the publication of the Plan for Rail in May 2021, Andrew was also tasked with establishing interim arrangements for the creation of Great British Railways, alongside his role in Network Rail. Prior to joining Network Rail, Andrew was the chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority from 2009-2018. Before that he had a wide-ranging career within the rail industry with British Rail, Railtrack, South West Trains and FirstGroup plc where he led the rail division in England, Scotland and Wales. In addition, he was a non-executive director at a rolling stock leasing company.

Andrew was knighted in the 2025 New Year Honours List for services to transport and the UK economy, having been awarded an OBE in 2016. Andrew is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Railway Operators and the Permanent Way Institute. Andrew holds honorary doctorates from Kingston University, University of South Wales and Cranfield University.

Current external appointments

Director of the Rail Delivery Group Limited.

Mike Putnam, acting chair and senior independent non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2018

Skills and experience

Mike has over 25 years’ executive experience across the development, construction and services sectors, and participated in successfully delivering high profile projects. Mike became an independent non-executive director of Finning International Inc in May 2024 and was an independent non-executive director at Southern Water Services Limited until July 2024. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of Skanska UK plc until May 2017, having been executive vice president and a director, responsible for the infrastructure and then the building and construction businesses. Mike is a Chartered Engineer and a fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Current external appointments

Non-executive director of Finning International Inc; non-executive director of Bazalgette Tunnel Limited (Thames Tideway); vice chair of the Supervisory Board of Arcadis NV.

Committee membership

Chair of the safety, health and environmental compliance committee; chair of the rail investment delivery advisory board; member of the environmental sustainability committee; member of the nominations and remuneration committee.

Jeremy Westlake, chief financial officer

Appointed to the board: 2016

Skills and experience

Jeremy previously spent 14 years at Rolls-Royce in a range of senior finance and supply chain roles in the UK and the United States. Jeremy was formerly senior vice president for finance at Alstom Transport in France, responsible for financial performance and control, project finance and investor management. Jeremy is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and has a master’s degree in manufacturing from University of Cambridge.

Current external appointments

Non-executive director of Elevate Services Inc.

Committee membership

Member of the property supervisory committee.

Ismail Amla, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2021

Skills and experience

Ismail became the senior vice president of Kyndryl Consult in April 2024 where he is the global lead for the business. Prior to this, he was the executive vice president of NCR Corporation where he was responsible for its Global Professional Services. Ismail has lived and worked in many countries worldwide leading large teams at Accenture, IBM, Capco and Capita. The Financial Times has recognised Ismail as one of the most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders in the United Kingdom technology sector. In 2016, he received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration (Hon DBA) for his outstanding contribution to business from the University of Bolton. In 2020, Ismail co-authored a book, “From Incremental to Exponential: How Large Companies Can See the Future and Rethink Innovation”.

Current external appointments

Senior vice president of Kyndryl Consult; a Board member of UK Sport; a Board member of the Bradford Literature Festival; a fellow of University of Salford Business School; director of IZ Praedium Limited; director of ZII Properties Limited.

Committee membership

Chair of the nominations and remuneration committee.

Mark Bayley CBE, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2020

Skills and experience

Mark has spent much of his career in the rail sector and has particular experience in major projects, restructuring and corporate finance. He was chief executive of London & Continental Railways Limited, and chief executive of the Green Deal Finance Company. His interim work includes commercial director of High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, and chief financial officer and Board member of the Submarine Delivery Agency at the Ministry of Defence.

Mark was awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to the rail industry.

Current external appointments

Non-executive director of OFWAT; member of the Department for Transport’s group audit and risk assurance committee; member of the Board of trustees of Shadwell Opera; trustee of the St Pancras Church Lands Trust.

Committee membership

Chair of the audit and risk committee; chair of the treasury committee; chair of the property supervisory committee.

Carolyn Battersby, special director* and non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2024

Skills and experience

Carolyn is an executive director at UK Government Investments. She has worked on a range of governance and corporate finance projects in the transport, defence, energy and housing sectors. Prior to working in government, Carolyn’s career was in finance and strategy with previous roles at Tesco, The Prince’s Trust, Permira and Schroders.

Current external appointments

Executive director at UK Government Investments; non-executive director at Defence, Equipment & Support.

Committee membership

Member of the nominations and remuneration committee, member of the audit and risk committee, member of the treasury committee.

* The special director communicates the views of the Secretary of State, and the Department’s wider strategic interests, to the Board, whilst acting in accordance with his or her duties under the Companies Act.

Prof Stephen Duckworth OBE, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2021

Skills and experience

Stephen founded and ran Disability Matters Limited, a research and consultancy business with an emphasis on inclusive design. He initially qualified as a medical doctor and followed this with an MSc in rehabilitation studies and a PhD in disability equality. Stephen currently sits on the Boards of several organisations, has held numerous advisory roles to government, and carried out consultancy work with Southwest Trains and Eurostar.

He was awarded an OBE in 1994 for services to disabled people.

Current external appointments

Non-executive director of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; trustee of Hampshire Hospitals Charity; chair of Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation; Professor of Bio Engineering at the University of Southampton; director of IPF Trading Limited; member of Hampshire Together.

Committee membership

Member of the audit and risk committee; member of the safety, health and environmental compliance committee.

Stuart Harvey, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2024

Skills and experience

Stuart has long served the public transport sector, having joined London Underground as a signalling engineer apprentice in 1981. He has been the chief capital officer at Transport for London since 2022, where he is responsible for all enhancement and large renewal projects, driving the capital efficiency progress and programme management office controls, as well as setting engineering standards and providing engineering and asset strategy expertise to the entire business. Prior to this, Stuart held a number of director roles overseeing the delivery of several major programmes such as the Northern Line and Barking Riverside extensions, procuring and introducing new rolling stock and major digital signalling upgrade and communication programmes.

Current external appointments

Chief capital officer for Transport for London.

Committee membership

Member of safety, health and environmental compliance committee; member of the rail investment delivery advisory board.

David Noyes, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2018

Skills and experience

David has spent his career working in the leisure and transport sectors. In a 20-year career at British Airways he held various directorships. Subsequently, until December 2017 David was chief executive officer of Cunard and P&O Cruises, and a director of Carnival plc. David is experienced in leading devolved businesses in safety critical industries with a focus on delivering customer service excellence and driving cost efficiency.

Current external appointments

Chair of Leeds Bradford Airport, chair of Grays of Cambridge (International) Limited; non-executive chair of Celestyal Cruises; corporate advisory Board member for The Teenage Cancer Trust; director of International Airport Bidco Limited; director of D&TN Limited; Member of (Devon) Farish Council.

Committee membership

Chair of the environmental sustainability committee; member of the nominations and remuneration committee; member of the safety, health and environmental compliance committee.

Dyan (Diane) Perry OBE, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2024

Skills and experience

Dyan has over 30 years of experience in the railway, having started her career as station manager at Peckham Rye. She has previously held several senior positions including chief executive at High Speed 1, chief operating officer for Govia Thameslink Railway and route managing director for Network Rail. Dyan was the first ever female managing director in UK rail history and the winner of the outstanding personal contribution award at the 2023 National Rail Awards.

Dyan currently sits on the boards of several organisations, and was previously part of the Advisory Panel to Crossrail, a Board member of an NHS Trust, a trustee for the Railway Children registered charity and a trustee for Women In Rail.

Current external appointments

Chair of High Speed Rail Authority Group; non-executive director of High Speed Rail Authority Board (Australia); deputy chair of the British Transport Police Authority; advisor to Newton Europe; director of Medd Properties Limited.

Committee membership

Member of the audit and risk committee; member of the treasury committee.

Fiona Ross, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2020

Skills and experience

Fiona is an experienced chair and non-executive director having served on boards in Ireland and the UK. In the UK, Fiona is a non-executive director at the Northern Ireland Office. In Ireland, Fiona chairs the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, and is a non-executive director and chair of the Investment Committee at the National Treasury Management Agency. Fiona began her career as a stockbroker in London and spent over 25 years’ in global capital markets.

Current external appointments

Chair of National Paediatric Hospital Development Board; non-executive director and chair of the Investment Committee at the National Treasury Management Agency; non-executive director of JK Funds; non-executive director of Evelyn Partners Europe; non-executive director of SphereInvest (Dublin); non-executive director of the Northern Ireland Office.

Committee membership

Member of the nominations and remuneration committee; member of the environmental sustainability committee.

Steve Scrimshaw CBE, non-executive director

Appointed to the board: 2024

Skills and experience

Steve has held multiple leadership roles within the energy and transport sectors over the past 45 years working domestically and internationally. Steve was chief executive of Siemens Energy UK and Ireland business until January 2024, where he led the company’s transformation as it navigated the complex energy transition landscape. Prior to his role at Siemens Energy, Steve ran the Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock business for ten years where he was involved in a number of high profile intercity, commuter and international projects. He was previously a member of the government’s Hydrogen Delivery Council and Green Jobs Delivery Group.

Current external appointments

Chair of the Hydrogen Propulsion Manufacturing Taskforce at the UK Department for Business and Trade; non-executive chairman of Windward Energy.

Committee membership

Member of the nominations and remuneration committee; member of the environmental sustainability committee.

Group general counsel and company secretary

Susan Beadles

Skills and experience

Susan is responsible for the national Legal and Corporate Services team within the CFO Directorate. Susan is a qualified solicitor who has over 30 years’ experience working in private practice and in-house, within both public and private sector companies. Susan joined the company from Crossrail Limited where she held the position of general counsel and company secretary. Susan’s extensive experience includes providing and managing legal support to high-profile companies, and in connection with major and complex construction projects.

The group general counsel and company secretary provides advice and support to the Board, the chair and the directors on legal and governance matters. As company secretary, she ensures that a high standard of governance is maintained so that the Board functions effectively and efficiently. The appointment and removal of the company secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole. The directors have access to the advice and services of the group general counsel and company secretary, who is responsible for compliance with Board procedures and the provision of information to the Board in a timely manner. Additionally, the directors have the right to seek independent professional advice at reasonable expense to Network Rail.