DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (039) issued by COI News Distribution Service
on 26 March 2009
Transport
Secretary Geoff Hoon today announced the appointment of Anna
Walker as the new Chairman elect of the Office of Rail Regulation
(ORR) - the independent safety and economic regulator for
Britain's railways.
Anna Walker, currently the Chief Executive of the Healthcare
Commission, will take up her new duties at the ORR on 5 July 2009
subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Transport Select Committee.
Making the appointment, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, said:
"I am delighted to be able to announce this appointment.
Anna has wide-ranging experience in the regulatory and public
sectors and is an excellent candidate to lead the ORR over the
coming years."
Anna Walker said:
"Subject to the Select Committee process, I am looking
forward to this exciting role. The railways are very important to
people in this country and are facing some significant challenges
in the 21st century."
Anna's previous roles include Deputy Director General at the
Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL) during the mid-1990s;
Director General at the Department for Trade and Industry,
responsible for the Government's energy policy during the
late 1990s; and Director General for Land Use and Rural Affairs at
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2001
to 2004. She is also a member of the board of Consumer Focus.
Notes to editors
1. The ORR is led by a Board appointed by the Secretary of State
for Transport. The Board is responsible for setting ORR's
strategy and has oversight of its efficient, effective and
economic delivery. The Board of the ORR currently comprises the
Chairman, five executive members, including the Chief Executive,
and five non-executive members. Appointments to the Board are for
a fixed term of up to five years.
2. The appointment has been made in accordance with the Office of
the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.
3. In line with Government proposals to increase Parliamentary
scrutiny of appointments to key posts, the preferred candidate for
certain posts, including Chairman of the ORR, may be required to
appear before a Parliamentary select committee prior to appointment.
4. Anna Walker replaces the current Chairman, Chris Bolt, who was
appointed for a five year term in July 2004.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk