Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), is pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Marjoribanks as the company’s new engineering director. With nearly 25 years in the railway industry, Kate brings a wealth of expertise in rolling stock engineering.

Kate started her career working as a trainee on 5,000-ton warships at Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, before graduating from Edinburgh University with a Mechanical Engineering degree. She switched to rail and joined British Rail, working in depots across the UK and climbing the ladder into senior engineering roles including head of engineering at South Western Railway and engineering director at Abellio Greater Anglia. In a previous role as engineering director at Chiltern, Kate launched new passenger services and increased the fleet size by 25%.

At Arriva Rail London, Kate will be focused on optimising the existing fleet, leading a team of engineers, overseeing the traincare team and working with maintenance partners, Bombardier and Greater Anglia. She will also be supporting with business readiness for the introduction of the Class 710 fleet to the London Overground network.

Managing director, Will Rogers, said: “We are pleased that Kate has joined us at such a pivotal time for Arriva Rail London, her industry experience will help us to drive forward improvements to our existing award-winning fleet which connects so many communities across London.”

Kate, who started the role in November, said: “It is an exciting time to be joining the fleet team at Arriva Rail London, who have demonstrated a passionate and relentless focus on delivering a world class railway for our customers since my arrival. My priority will be optimising the London Overground fleet and working closely with Transport for London, our engineers, traincare teams and maintenance partners to do so.”