Simpson resigns from post of NR’s Scottish route MD

David Simpson, Network Rail Route Managing Director for Scotland, has resigned, weeks after NR announced that he was “on a period of extended leave owing to personal circumstances”.

It has been revealed that Simpson promoted a senior female colleague without following proper procedures.

In June 2012 Anne-Marie Harmon was promoted to change programme manager, which involves preparations for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She had previously been route performance manager for Scotland since 2005, the same year as Simpson became route director for NR Scotland. He was appointed NR route managing director in May 2011.

While Simpson has stepped down from his role, Harmon will return to the company. David Dickson, area director for the West of Scotland, is acting route managing director until a replacement for Simpson is recruited.

NR has not elaborated on the reasons for Simpson’s departure.

Simpson has been a railwayman for more than 25 years, and is highly regarded by colleagues in the industry.

“I believe that he will be a big loss to Scotland,” said Paul Tetlaw, board member for Transform Scotland. “David brought huge depth of knowledge and commitment to the railway in Scotland, and was widely respected.”

Simpson was responsible for the largest of NR’s regions. It is the location for some of the most high-profile projects in the industry, including the reinstatement of the Borders Railway and the successful Paisley Canal electrification programme.

• This news feature was originally published in RAIL 740 on 22 January 2014