press release

PRESS RELEASE
27 March 2013
Elaine Holt joins RATP Dev and will lead pre-qualification for
London’s Crossrail operator concession
RATP Dev announced today that Elaine Holt has been appointed UK Rail Franchise Director and
will lead RATP Dev’s pre-qualification for London’s Crossrail operator concession. The Crossrail
project, is the decade’s most important infrastructure project in the UK.
Elaine has an impressive and extensive track record in the UK transport sector. She started her career
at British Airways in 1987. Subsequently, she worked in a variety of senior commercial and operational
roles at First Group for a total of ten years culminating as Managing Director of First Capital Connect.
In 2009 Elaine was appointed CEO of DOR (Directly Operated Railways) and Chairman of East Coast
by the UK Transport Secretary and most recently she led National Express through the prequalification and bid for the Great Western rail franchise.
Throughout her career, Elaine has been adept at mobilising and leading complex organisations
through periods of change and growth, improving performance and developing new business
opportunities.
François-Xavier Perin, Chief Executive RATP Dev, commented: “Elaine is a respected professional in
the UK transport sector with an outstanding track record in rail. Her background, skills and experience
will be vital to RATP Dev and its ambitions for the UK and for RATP Dev as a whole”.
Crossrail is a new railway that uses existing and new infrastructures. It will operate over 100 route
kilometres, connecting existing railway destinations in the east and west London with the West End,
the City, and Canary Wharf. Crossrail will provide a direct link from Abbey Wood and Heathrow
Airport to Central London.
RATP Dev
RATP Dev is a subsidiary of RATP Group established in 2002 to develop the group’s operating and maintenance
activities in France and internationally outside the historic network operated by RATP in the greater Paris region.
RATP Dev is aiming at €1 billion in revenue in 2013 and now operates in over 30 cities and regions in France and
in twelve countries on four continents (Algeria, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Morocco, South Africa, South Korea,
the United Kingdom and the USA, etc.).
In the UK, RATP Dev UK was established in early 2011 to develop the Group’s expansion by recognizing
opportunities within the UK transport industry. Overseeing the operations of London United Busways Ltd,
Bournemouth Transport Ltd (Yellow Buses), Bath Bus Company Ltd, Metrolink RATP Dev Ltd in Manchester and
H R Richmond (Epsom Coaches). RATP Dev’s UK revenue by the end of 2012 amounted £245million.
In the UK : MAITLAND : David Stürken – 020 7395 0450 – [email protected]
In France : RATP GROUP PRESS SERVICE - T + 33 1 58 78 37 37 • www.ratp.fr • www.ratpdev.com •
[email protected]