Alison is new MD of First Great Western (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Alison is new MD of First Great Western

Swindon-based train company First Great Western has announced the appointment of a new managing director.

A career railwaywoman, Alison Forster joined the British Railways Board's graduate training scheme in 1980.

Her early career was in the Southern Region of British Rail in a number of station manager posts.

In 1998 she was appointed as First Great Western's operations and safety director. Most recently Alison has been First Great Western's director and general manager (safety and performance).

"I have devoted most of my working life to the rail industry and being managing director of First Great Western is a privilege," she said.

"I have the backing of a strong management team and a superb workforce.

"I am taking the position at a time of change with the start of the new

Thames franchise and the creation of the Greater Western franchise in just two years.

"I hope to guide First Great Western smoothly through these changes while at the same time addressing the daily challenge of operating a reliable timetable on an unreliable infrastructure."

Alison, who lives near Frome in Somerset, is a graduate of the London School of Economics, a qualified teacher and a member of the Institute of Railway Operators.