Chair, Great British Railways

Department for Transport

National

  • Location National
  • Sector Central Government, Board Practice
  • Client Department for Transport
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration £200,000–£300,000 per annum for 2.5 days minimum per week
  • Reference GSe126714
  • Closing Date 12 noon Monday 23 February 2026

The Department for Transport is focused on improving performance on the railways, driving forward rail reform, transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, delivering greener transport and better integrating transport networks. In the biggest overhaul to the railways in a generation a new arms-length body, Great British Railways (GBR), will be established.

Great British Railways will unite track and train under one guiding mind, ending decades of fragmentation and delivering a modern, integrated rail system. This transformation will create a reliable, sustainable network that prioritises passengers and freight customers, delivers economic growth, jobs and homes and supports greener transport across Britain. With a clear focus on accountability, innovation, and efficiency, GBR represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a railway fit for the future.

The Department for Transport is now seeking to appoint a new Chair to the Great British Railways Board to lead the shaping of GBR’s organisational design and governance, guiding the transition from a fragmented rail system to a unified, customer and public service focused entity.

About the role

As Chair of Great British Railways, you will be the visible leader of one of the most significant public bodies in the UK, reporting directly to the Secretary of State for Transport, overseeing c. £20 billion expenditure and 100,000 employees. You will set the tone for GBR’s culture, strategy, and public purpose, steering the transition to a more accountable, customer-focused railway and championing its role in driving economic growth and connectivity, ensuring safety remains at the heart of operations. Beyond setting the strategic agenda and chairing the Board, you will provide oversight of performance, financial sustainability, and risk management, while engaging with ministers, industry partners, devolved administrations, mayoral combined authorities and other stakeholders to deliver a railway that meets the needs of passengers and freight customers across Britain.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking an outstanding leader with a proven track record of steering complex organisations and major programmes at Board level. You will bring strategic insight and the ability to embed customer and community priorities into operational and cultural change. Success in this role demands confidence in driving transformation, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the ability to maintain trust across government, industry, and the public. Experience in fostering inclusive, diverse, and productive workforces, and building constructive relationships with employees and trade unions, is essential. Above all, you will combine vision, resilience, and integrity to help shape a railway that is safe, reliable, efficient, and fit for the future.

Why apply?

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of one of Britain’s most important national assets. We welcome applications from leaders of all backgrounds, inside and outside the rail sector, who share our ambition for a railway that is reliable, sustainable, and responsive to the people it serves.

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Documents

  1. Guidance for writing your application.pdf

Continue to full details and apply

Share this job

Featured jobs

Chair

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

North Cumbria

Independent Non Executive Director & Chair of the Board

Ubico Ltd

Gloucestershire / West Oxfordshire / Wiltshire

Non-Executive Director (Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee)

Ubico Ltd

Gloucestershire / West Oxfordshire / Wiltshire

Director of Fabric & Estates

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln