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Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the role of Finance Director (FD) of Scottish Rail Holdings Limited (SRH).
The information that follows should answer many of the questions you may have about the organisation’s work and the role of the FD.
SRH is a limited company and public body in Scotland with accountability to Scottish Ministers for the delivery of rail passenger services in support of the Scottish Government’s objectives as set out in the National Transport Strategy.
SRH has oversight of the governance and performance of two subsidiary train operating companies, ScotRail Trains Limited (SRT/ScotRail) and, since June 2023, Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL). Together SRH, SRT and CSL form the SRH group. We are also part of a group of stakeholders known Scotland’s Railway, which includes Network Rail (the infrastructure owner), train operating companies, statutory bodies, and suppliers.
SRH commenced operations in April 2022, when ScotRail was taken into public ownership.
The current Finance Director’s contract concludes at the end of June 2024 and SRH is now seeking to make a new full time permanent appointment to the post.
The FD will join us at an exciting time in our development as Scotland’s Railway recovers from the impact of the pandemic and seeks to play a prominent role in Scotland’s drive to net zero.
While SRT and CSL face considerable challenges in restoring patronage, reducing the level of public subsidy, and securing the investment to modernise infrastructure and assets, we do not face these challenges alone. The new FD will have a crucial role in maintaining and securing collaboration and partnerships with organisations across the system working to improve outcomes for people and communities. The main stakeholders are Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and Network Rail, the UK wide organisation that owns and manages Britain’s railway infrastructure.
Working closely with me and the rest of the SRH Board, the FD will fully contribute to and participate in the strategic management and governance of the SRH group. The FD will be responsible for managing all aspects of the finances for Scottish Rail Holdings, including the preparation of accounts, budgeting, and financial business planning. They will also oversee the finances of all Scottish Rail Holdings subsidiaries, ensuring that any variances to the financial plans are managed with appropriate remedial actions.
We are looking for a leader who shares our values. We are collaborative, innovative, excellent, respectful and we work with integrity. We expect the successful applicant to be committed to and personify the seven ‘Nolan’ principles of Public Life. These values underpin how we work with each other and with partners and guide our work as a Board.
We are keen to attract exceptional applicants with the senior level experience required for this significant appointment. You do not need to be a professional expert in rail, but you do need to be able to demonstrate significant experience in leading impactful work to improve outcomes in a business or public service. Given the complexity of the industry and the challenges it faces you will also have to be able to demonstrate evidence of and willingness to learn from others.
We are looking for applications from people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds who are sensitive to the diverse needs of the people of Scotland and their expectations of public transport, and the benefits that rail passenger services can have on individuals and communities. It is important that applicants understand the contribution made by the whole system rail network in Scotland to deliver the Scottish Government’s objectives for economic growth, social inclusion, and the achievement of net zero by 2045. Specific details on the requirements for this role are included in the person specification section of this pack.
If what I have described sounds like a challenge that you can rise to, then I hope you will apply and, once again, thank you for the interest you have shown.
Richard Cairns
Chair, Scottish Rail Holdings