Lecture by Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway

Mark Hopwood, MD of Great Western Railway (GWR), will be giving a lecture at Plymouth University next month.

In the wake of weather-related service disruptions and questions over its long-term resilience, now is a critical time for the railway in the far South West. Join Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR, the region’s largest train operator, for his talk about the transformation of the former ‘First Great Western’ into the new Great Western Railway.

With a new franchise until the end of the decade, this is much more than a re-badging exercise, and GWR has a far reaching plan to transform the railway in the South West. Mark will describe the thinking behind this transformation, which includes the complete replacement of the high speed train fleet across the region. He considers the challenges being met along the way, including the need for GWR to play its part in promoting the economic and social well-being of the South West.

The talk will take place on 11 February in Lecture Theatre 2 in the Roland Levinsky Building on the Plymouth University campus. Doors open 5.45pm with the lecture starting at 6.15pm. A wine reception will follow.

It is free to attend the lecture, but registration is essential.