Kenny Scott has been appointed Engineering Director of First ScotRail.

A Scot by birth as well as surname, he has returned home from the North of England where he was Engineering Director with TransPennine Express (TPE).

Kenny, 46, said of his appointment: “Safety is at the top of the agenda and improving performance remains a core objective I want to sustain – and improve – train performance and reliability. I also want to enhance the quality of train presentation, including cleanliness.”

He is currently touring the First ScotRail network, one of the largest and most complex rail franchises in the UK with 650,000 train journeys per annum over an area that spans some 3000 kilometres of track.

His first objective is to consolidate the stability brought to the engineering team as well as the improved fleet performance since the franchise was awarded in October 2004.

It has already reduced delays caused by First ScotRail train by 38% compared with the franchise commitment of 2% per year.

Mary Dickson, First ScotRail’s Managing Director, said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kenny Scott as First ScotRail Engineering Director. He was with TPE since the bid stages of the franchise and has played a significant role in the success of the franchise to date. I wish him well in his new role.”

Kenny, married with two children, has been in the railways for 30 years, starting as an apprentice engineer on the East Coast Main Line in his home town of Edinburgh. He is a chartered engineer and also has master’s degree in business administration.