Alex Hynes has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), taking the helm as the organisation prepares for the next phase in the transition to Great British Railways.

DFTO is the government body responsible for bringing all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways, aiming to deliver a more integrated and passenger-focused rail network.

Hynes brings extensive experience from across the rail sector, having held senior roles at ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland between 2017 and 2024, and previously serving as Managing Director of Northern. During his tenure at Northern, the operator recorded its highest-ever customer satisfaction scores and strong employee engagement levels, prior to its transfer into public ownership in 2020.

The handover will take place on 23 December 2025, as current CEO Robin Gisby’s fixed-term contract concludes.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

"This government is making strides in our ambitious rail reforms and establishing Great British Railways, delivering a network which is run for the public, owned by the public. Alex Hynes’s appointment will build on the achievements so far of smoothly bringing operators into public ownership and I’m confident that will continue going forward. I’d like to thank Robin Gisby for his work in effectively leading DFTO through challenging periods, all the way from the pandemic to the beginning of the transition to Great British Railways. Robin had a major impact on the rail industry and he leaves an enduring legacy recognised by colleagues and passengers."

To support the growing responsibilities of DFTO, over 200 civil servants from Department for Transport rail teams will transfer into the organisation by April 2026, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning of publicly-owned train operators. To date, half of the UK’s train operators are in public ownership, following the recent transfer of Greater Anglia services in October 2025.

Alex Hynes, Director General of Rail Services at DfT, said:

"It’s a privilege to be joining DFTO at such a pivotal moment. I look forward to working with so many talented colleagues from across the publicly owned train operating companies, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the wider rail industry. Building on DFTO’s strong foundations and Robin’s achievements, my focus will be on delivering safe, reliable and efficient services for passengers, and helping to drive rail reform."

Outgoing DFTO Chief Executive Robin Gisby commented:

"The foundation of our railways are its people, and it has been a privilege to work with so many dedicated colleagues from across the industry. They work hard every day to deliver for passengers and ensure they can travel safely and reliably. It is their commitment to placing passengers first that has put us on the path to building a better railway for all. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Alex in the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition as we set DFTO up for further success."

Richard George, Chair of DFTO, added:

"I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Alex Hynes as the new Chief Executive Officer of DFTO. His previous leadership of Scotland’s Railway as the Managing Director – leading the ScotRail Alliance, a partnership between ScotRail Trains and Network Rail Scotland, make him uniquely positioned to lead DFTO through this next critical phase, as we complete the programme for public ownership and continue to improve our services for customers through greater collaboration with Network Rail and other parts of the industry."

The appointment comes as legislation to formally establish Great British Railways moves through Parliament. The new body is designed to create a simpler, more unified railway offering safer, more reliable, and more affordable journeys for passengers across the UK.

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