Sector Focus


Business Travel


On track: Andy Street (left), Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde and Cllr Roger Lawrence


Chiltern announces appointment of new Commercial Director


By Lucy Evans Marketing Manager


Sponsored by: Chiltern Railways


Chiltern Railway, the Arriva UK Trains company has announced the appointment of Eleni Jordan (pictured) as its new commercial director. Chiltern, which holds a rail


franchise until 2021, runs services between London Marylebone and the Midlands, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire including Birmingham Moor Street station, Oxford and a new station built by the company to serve visitors to the shopping destination, Bicester Village. Eleni will be responsible for


passenger and ancillary revenue and will oversee marketing, CRM, digital strategy, communications, external affairs, and timetable development. Eleni joins from Abellio Greater Anglia where she was Head of Commercial Development leading marketing, sales, retail and channel development alongside the timetable for Stansted Express. She has over 22 years’ experience in sales, marketing and commercial roles at both senior manager and exec level in five different industry sectors including airlines, tour operations, hotels, financial services and rail. Commenting on the


appointment, Dave Penney, managing director for Chiltern Railways, said; “Eleni will be an asset to the executive team and has proven experience which makes her a leader in her field. Our marketing and revenue strategy is a critical part of our commercial success and is the driver behind our growth ambitions. Her appointment will allow us to develop our commercial channels and digital marketing to better target potential and existing customers.”


66 CHAMBERLINK February 2018


Rail investment is on track


A new era of rail travel was ushered in at the end of last year as management of the West Midlands network was put into local hands. A new franchise, managed jointly


by a consortium of local councils and the government, got underway bringing a near £1bn investment into the local network over the next eight years. The new franchise, which runs


until March 2026, will see more services and more space for passengers while stimulating and supporting further economic growth and jobs across the region. The improvements have been


built into the franchise by West Midlands Rail (WMR), a consortium of 16 local councils, in close collaboration with the Department for Transport (DfT). Trains operating on the local


network are being branded in a new West Midlands Railway livery and operated on behalf of WMR and the DfT by West Midlands


‘The increased frequency and on-board capacity is particularly important’


Trains Ltd, a joint venture between Dutch train company Abellio, the East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd. Cllr Roger Lawrence, chair of


WMR and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Today really is a watershed moment for our region’s rail network and it will bring many improvements for passengers over the coming months and years. “The increased frequency and


on-board capacity is particularly important for the tens of thousands of people who rely on the network to get to work each day but it is also important for those making business trips or simply going out to enjoy our region’s cultural and leisure attractions.”


Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our local rail network has a crucial role to play in making sure our region has the connectivity it needs to compete and prosper on a global stage. “The region will now work hard


in partnership with West Midlands Trains to make sure this new franchise and the £1bn investment it brings will deliver the sort of railway our passengers need and deserve and one that can drive and support further economic growth.” The new franchise will see a


£680m investment in 107 new trains which are being built by Bombardier Trains and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde,


managing director of West Midlands Trains, said: “It's great to get started on delivering everything we've promised to our customers across the network. The £1bn of investment will allow West Midlands Trains to be one of the core drivers of faster economic growth.”


Fun in the sun with Primera Air


Primera Air has further extended its flight offering from Birmingham Airport by launching routes to Mallorca and Malaga. Having already announced direct flights from Birmingham to New York, Boston and Toronto, the Scandinavian airline is now set to introduce daily services to Mallorca and Malaga from May 2018. Andri Már Ingólfsson, the president and owner of


Primera Air, said: “We see a stable and high demand for our transatlantic flights from Birmingham to New York, Boston and Toronto. “It has encouraged us to introduce more flights to


leisure destinations in Spain that historically has been our core product and service in which we have an extensive experience. “Flights to Mallorca and Malaga will improve the


leisure flight schedule for travellers to already beloved destinations.” William Pearson, aviation director at Birmingham


Airport, said: “After announcing new flights to New York, Boston and Toronto from Birmingham Airport in 2018, these new short haul routes to Mallorca and Malaga will give those looking for sun and beach holidays closer to home greater low cost choice from the Midlands’ leading airport. “It is great to see Primera Air recognising Birmingham as a key strategic airport in its growth plans and we look forward to working with the airline when it launches next year.” All Mallorca and Malaga flights will be operated by


Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats in a one class configuration (full economy).


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