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New chairman appointed at Office of Rail Regulation

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.

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