Welcome to Scotland! (Liam Sumpter to take on new Network Rail Scotland role)

[Mingulay]

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news...d-of-new-network-rail-scotland-boss/?ref=ebln

Liam Sumpter, who will take on the newly-created role of chief operating officer next spring, was previously forced to apologise after “rude” exchanges with customers on social media.

Mr Sumpter will take up his new role at a time of mounting concern over Scotland’s railways, with Network Rail widely blamed for causing delays and cancellations through failures in infrastructure.

Douglas Stewart, associate committee member at Rail Action Group East of Scotland, said customers and wider stakeholders would be “gravely concerned about the appointment of Sumpter to such an important role”.

Seen better introductions

 

[Mag_seven]

My own view is give him a chance - he's not even sat down yet!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I do not profess to know anything about Mr Sumpter's management abilities but given his "performances" on Northern's YouTube channel he should avoid appearing in front of cameras as much as possible. He is singularly lacking in any sort of charisma so comes across as robotic, disinterested even. He needs a media-savvy PR assistant.

 

[Bertie the bus]

My own view is give him a chance - he's not even sat down yet!

My view is good riddance. Scotland are welcome to him and with a bit of luck he will poach some of the remainder of Northern's management team.

 

[DarloRich]

My own view is give him a chance - he's not even sat down yet!

exactly - the guy hasn't even started!

BTW - his alleged rude comments were nowt of the sort.

 

[Mingulay]

Here is some detail from the article linked to to comply with the forum rules:



My own view is give him a chance - he's not even sat down yet!

For sure he deserves a chance to make his mark. But I hope he has learnt the lesson from his past experiences , that in his position he cannot attack the travelling public, who are the ultimate customer . Rail is an industry fraught with Customer dissatisfaction and expectation and its an industry in the dock in the court of public opinion, particularly Network Rail . So if he cant cope with criticism however ill informed he feels it is, I would suggest he is the wrong job.

Rob Shorthouse was a good spokesperson for Scotrail, media savvy , customer friendly . I he does not have those skills and he cant change his style , he wont have a great experience in Scotland.

 

[Macwomble]

My view is good riddance. Scotland are welcome to him and with a bit of luck he will poach some of the remainder of Northern's management team.

NO THANK YOU!!

The last thing we need in Scotland are more of Northern's cast offs. IMO Scotrail has gone downhill since Alex Hynes appeared on the scene, and we all know where he came from.