Rail

The global railway industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the global rail supply industry worth over £136bn and UK passenger numbers at record levels.

With a network in the rail sector that has been built over nearly 20 years, we provide you with a breadth and depth of access you won’t find elsewhere. Our rail executive search experience has located the right candidates for even the most difficult roles to fill, including international relocations, successfully completing over 400 rail executive search mandates.

Whether you’re a train operator, rail infrastructure contractor, consulting firm, rolling stock business or other rail technology supplier, you’ll be in good hands. Covering a multidisciplinary range of functions, we have recruited senior staff for all the major UK rail projects of recent years, searching across both UK and international markets.

Our capability in rail executive search –

Companies:

Rolling Stock & Signalling Companies
Infrastructure Owners & Project Developers
Train Operators & Franchise Bidding
Consultancies
Contractors
Public Sector Agencies
Service Providers
Technology firms

Functions:

General Management
Business Development
Engineering
Commercial Management
Contract Management & Procurement
Planning
Estimating & Project Controls
Operations Management
Project & Programme Management
Bid Management
Transport Planning
Safety & Assurance
Environment & Sustainability
Finance & Risk Management

Geographies:

UK
Europe
United States & Canada
Australia
North Africa & Middle East
Hong Kong & Asia

Previous assignments

Managing Director – Metro Transport Operator
Head of Commercial – European Rail Group
Engineering Director – Train Operating Company
Head of Global Sales, Rail – European Technology Company
Commercial Director – Rail Contractor
Head of Safety & Risk Management, Rail – Risk Management Firm
Project Director – $ billion Middle East Rail Project
Project Director – £ billion London Rail Project
Operations Director – Rail Contractor
Technical Director, Rail Planning – Transport Planning Consultancy
Director, Feasibility Engineering – Rail Consultancy
Director HSQE – Rail Contractor
Managing Director – JV Rail Contractor
Operations Director – Transport Operator
Deputy Director, Operations – Rail Transport Authority
Engineering Director – Rail Systems Contractor
Head of Signalling – Rail Consultancy
Head of Tunnelling – £ billion London Rail Project
Director of Health & Safety – Rail Transport Authority
Head of Rolling Stock – Transport Consultancy
Head of Revenue Forecasting – Rail Consultancy
Manager, Regulation – Rail Industry Body
Head of Rolling Stock – TOC Franchise Bid Team
Business Development Director – Train Builder
Head of Customer Service – Train Operating Company
Independent Investment Programme Advisors – Rail Transport Authority

CEO, Crossrail

Since taking over as the CEO of Crossrail I have put a lot of effort into establishing the right leadership team to complete the project. Newsom Consulting have been a great partner in this work. Together we have worked to assemble a great new team with the right energy and capability for one of the worlds most complex projects.

Jim and team are a real pleasure to work with; responsive and sensitive to our unique circumstances.

Chief Executive, Murphy Group

We have used Newsom Consulting extensively for a number of years, we have always found them responsive and great to work with. Their understanding of the brief and our business has always resulted in a shortlist and successful candidate that meets our requirements.

Managing Director Rail, WSP

We have worked with Newsom Consulting on a number of successful senior searches. They listen carefully to assemble the right brief and have identified strong, well targeted shortlists. Their written documentation on the search and shortlisted candidates is informative and insightful.

Senior Managing Director, Teneo

We have been consistently impressed with their deep market knowledge and their ability to build a strong list of candidates against a challenging brief. What has really differentiated Newsom’s approach is the effort which they have made to understand our business and our specific requirements, meaning that they are able not only to source very qualified candidates but also provide valued insight on how we might refine our search to secure better results.

Managing Director, SPL Powerlines UK

SPL have worked with Newsom Consulting for several years and they have assisted our UK business over a period of significant growth; successfully recruiting a number of key people to leadership roles across our business, including project leadership, commercial, HSQE, business development, general management and engineering. They have a good understanding of the industry, are well networked and are easy to work with. I have subsequently recommended Jim to others and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.

Chief Operating Officer, Cleshar

Cleshar have partnered with Newsom Consulting to recruit senior appointments for several years now, and they have always provided a great service. We recently engaged with them to recruit several key senior roles in our organisation, and despite the complexities of undertaking an executive search during a pandemic, they were able to recommend a strong shortlist with a good blend of people. We were impressed with the quality of candidates they were able to attract from major companies in the sector and had a choice of several excellent candidates at final stage to appoint from. They have their finger on the pulse of the industry and I would highly recommend Newsom Consulting to others.

Human Resources Director, Crossrail

The approach we have taken is a mixture of search and advertisement, and in all instances success has been achieved. We consider Jim and his team to be an extension of our recruitment team rather than a supplier.

Managing Director UK Engineering, SYSTRA

Exceptional knowledge of the industry and thoroughly professional service.

Chief Operating Officer, Beacon Rail Leasing

We worked with Newsom Consulting to recruit a key Senior Director of Engineering Position. Our timescales were urgent and they worked at pace to deliver a shortlist of candidates very efficiently. They know their market, understand our business, and delivered the right calibre of candidates quickly.

CEO, Steer Davies Gleave

Jim has worked with us to source and secure leading talent for 15 years and his commitment to understand our business needs and proactive nature underpins this successful relationship with Newsom Consulting.

HR Director, CAF Group

I have worked with Newsom Consulting to recruit several key leadership roles. Newsom has proved to be very supportive throughout the entire recruitment process – shortlist of CV’s proving a very good comprehension of the requirements set, good information provided in the applicants report, relevant market information provided at job offer stage, etc. I have experienced a high quality service. I would be happy to work with Jim and Richard again and I would definitely recommend Newsom Consulting for recruiting key leadership roles

Managing Director – Transportation, Flowbird

Newsom Consulting have played a key role in finding senior leaders for Flowbird. The way they went about the process was spot on- transparent, with helpful updates and very good outcomes. Paul and Jim are consummate professionals in the transport space, and I would not hesitate to recommend them

Managing Director, IPEX Consulting

We have partnered with Newsom Consulting to recruit multiple high calibre seniors in line with our ambitious growth plans. Newsom have been conspicuous in the effort they have made to really hear and understand the skills, knowledge, attitudinal attributes and cultural fit we are looking for – as well as the experience and qualifications. The very high conversion rate we have seen to interview and hence to offer and acceptance is a testament to the quality of their search for what we need, to put forward to us only the most prequalified of candidates. This has made this most vital selection process very effective for us as well as minimising time input and distraction from our demanding business focus. We will continue to work with Newsom Consulting in the future.

Deputy Managing Director, Abellio Greater Anglia

Abellio has used Newsom Consulting on several occasions to source senior and experienced U.K. Rail professionals. The service they provide is excellent with a deep and relevant understanding of the industry. Jim never fails to find appropriate candidates and is a pleasure to deal with.

Managing Director – Systems, Signalling & Infrastructure, Alstom

“Newsom Consulting have partnered with us on a number of key recruitments. On each occasion they have taken time to listen and understand the position as well as understand the culture and team fit, then through their extensive market knowledge have been able to field a number of high calibre candidates for each post. We will continue to work with Newsom Consulting in the future.”

Director of Policy, Rail Delivery Group

Newsom Consulting are real experts in the field of transport with an intuitive understanding of the precise requirements of our roles and who might be at the right stage in their career to be a great fit. They are very easy to work with and very professional through all stages of resourcing, from scoping a potential role to delivery of long and short lists to supporting our selection and appointment processes.

Head of Human Resources, Crossrail

Newsom Consulting have delivered a number of high calibre people to the project, they always ensure they understand the brief and work to tight timescales. Given the choice I would always use Jim for future assignments.

VP Global Talent Acquisition, AECOM

Jim is easy to work with and operates as an extension of our Talent Acquisition team. He works well in our complex organisational structure and has been able to bring great candidates for difficult to fill roles.

Head of HR, Heathrow Express

We received a shortlist of diverse but well qualified candidates in a relatively short period of time and, unusually, had more than one good candidate to make a final choice from. Jim’s knowledge of the market and ability to probe and fully understand our requirements was key.

Rail Development Director, TfL

Jim has led the searches and from his considerable knowledge of the rail sector has each time provided TfL with an excellent list of potential candidates from which is has been able to make a suitable appointment.

Head of HR, Tube Lines

Jim is professional and focused on delivering high-quality results. He ensures that he fully understands the brief and delivers to it. He was a pleasure to work with.