Severn Valley Railway Holdings has announced volunteer Mike Ball as their new chairman, bringing 35 years of experience with SVR to the board
Nick Paul CBE has seen a decade of service as chairman of the Severn Valley Railway Holdings (SVRH) board and has now stepped down from the roll.
Nick has provided both financial and managerial experience to the position meeting many challenges, especially during the pandemic.
The role of chairman will now be undertaken by Mike Ball who was the former deputy chairman, with Nick continuing as Director which was a decision very much appreciated by the board.
Credit: SVR
Mike has collected many years of experience at a senior level in both engineering and IT sector and also has been a long-term volunteer at the Several Valley Railway (SVR) with 35 years of service, 10 of which as deputy chairman to the SVRH board.
Credit: SVR
Over his many years of dedication to SVR and SVRH Mike has helped pull the company through difficult challenges which include working with major repairs to Falling Sands Viaduct and County Boundary Slip. More recently Mike has dealt with the pandemic and the many difficulties this has brought alongside bringing on key working relations for the SVR with mainline train operating companies which through contract work will see a welcome increase in the Railways income.
Bringing continuity in ongoing progress Mike’s business and volunteer experience throughout SVR departments will provide him with a unique skill set to meet the ongoing demands of the organisation.
Further changes have seen former general manager Helen Smith now made managing director designate and will allow her to undertake total responsibility for the safe running of the railway along with its financial wellbeing and future growth. Under SVR’s safety management system a review and validation of this change will be carried out in the near future before the managing director position is confirmed.
Credit: SVR
Incoming chairman Mike Ball said: “Nick brought astute senior level business management experience and significant financial expertise to the railway. During his tenure, he focused the board on the management of its finances, and his skills were invaluable as he led the company through the financial challenges emanating from the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, as a trustee, he has played a major role in the transformation of the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust into a highly successful fundraising organisation.
“The board would like to thank Nick for his leadership, hard work and the outstanding contribution he has made to the SVR’s progress over the past 10 years.”
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