Richard Price to leave ORR

Office of Rail and Road Chief Executive Richard Price is to step down in early 2016.

The ORR intends to appoint Joanna Whittington to replace Price on an interim basis from January 16 2016, allowing for a handover period. Whittington joined the ORR Board in March 2014 as executive director of railway markets and economics.

An open competition for the role of chief executive will be advertised in due course.

Price joined the ORR on a five-year fixed-term basis in 2011.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

"A strong, independent regulator is vital not only to the safe and effective running of Britain’s railway but also to ensure that the industry is accountable and that its plans are realistic.

“As the whole industry looks to the future we hope to see rail regulation becoming more outcome-focused, better aligned with franchising and facilitating third-party investment. The regulator has an important role to play in supporting and recognising the challenges of planning and managing a railway that better meets the needs of our customers and the economy.”