New chief executive for CaRT

IT HAS been announced today (Friday) that Canal & River Trust has appointed a new chief executive.

It is Richard Parry who comes from the railways' First Group, after more than a decade in senior roles managing large complex transport and infrastructure organisations.

West Coast Line

Richard headed up First's bid in 2012 for the InterCity West Coast Line and more recently has been leading First's highly-regarded Hull Trains company as well as other wider development programmes across First's rail businesses.

Before that he spent 19 years at London Underground and Transport for London where he had a range of senior roles, spending eight years as a director of London Underground, including a year as interim managing director and then a further 18 months as deputy managing director.

Swapping trains for boats

So he will be swapping trains for boats, as he takes up the role of chief executive of the Canal & River Trust starting this summer.

Of his move to CaRT, Richard comments:

"I am really excited to be joining the Canal & River Trust at such an important phase in the future of the nation's magnificent waterways. The scale of the opportunity is huge as what we and our supporters do in the next five years will help shape the waterways for the next century.

Looks forward to the challenge

"I bring a track-record of managing similarly complex and challenging networks, together with experience of working closely with a wide range of interested and passionate people. I've got bags of enthusiasm for the waterways and have seen first-hand the shot in the arm that canals provide to the communities they flow through. Out on the towpath I have witnessed the hugely committed staff, volunteers, boaters and other supporters, and I look forward to the challenge ahead."

Richard is also a trustee of People 1st—the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism - which works to transform skills in the sector, particularly in the areas of management and leadership, customer service and craft/technical skills.

Tony Hales, Chairman of CaRT, enthused:

"I am delighted to welcome Richard to the Canal & River Trust. He joins one of the newest, biggest and brightest entrants in the charity sector—an organisation that shares his passion for the waterways.

"He has fantastic experience of managing complex infrastructure - something which is crucial for our network of lock flights, embankments, soaring aqueducts and other engineering feats of the industrial age. He has a strong record of leading organisations through change and recognises the importance of growing the engagement with the boaters, anglers and millions of others in the community who use and enjoy our wonderful waterways.

Richard, 46, married with two teenage daughters, lives in the West Midlands.