Laura Shoaf, chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has been appointed chair of Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR) by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

Shoaf will help drive the government’s overhaul of the railways, bringing senior leaders together to deliver improvements for passengers and work towards a more unified rail system. SGBR will also help design Great British Railways – the permanent body that will oversee railway infrastructure and services.

Before leading the WMCA, Shoaf was managing director of Transport for West Midlands where she oversaw a multi-million pound transport investment package for the region. She was the first female chair of the Urban Transport Group, which comprises transport leaders from across the UK, and supported the industry on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recognised expert who has advised on national policy, Laura was also one of the UK’s first transport champions to address tackling violence against women and girls. Her experience will be key in making the rail network more accessible and safer for all passengers.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said, “For too long, passengers have suffered from a fragmented rail system that doesn’t work in their interests – we’re going to change that.

“Establishing Shadow Great British Railways is a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train – and it’s fantastic we have someone of Laura’s calibre to drive forward reforms.

“Laura brings immense hands-on experience of delivering change and a shared desire to move fast and deliver change – I’m looking forward to working with her to fix our railways and getting Britain moving again.”

SGBR Chair, Laura Shoaf, said, “The arrival of the railways fundamentally changed the United Kingdom – creating huge growth, new connections between communities and opening up the opportunity of jobs and adventure to people across the whole of the country.

“I recognise the great power that our transport network plays in our day to day lives, but in order for it to work and in order for it to keep opening up these opportunities, it has to be built around our passengers and freight users.

“It is my privilege to have been asked to Chair Shadow Great British Railways and my focus will be ensuring people are at the heart of the railways and to ensure this remains a focus for years to come.”

The government’s proposed rail reforms will see unifying the oversight of track and train under Great British Railways and a properly integrated, customer-focused national rail network. Shoaf will chair the SGBR while retaining her primary responsibilities at WMCA.