The transport executive who led the successful privatization of Chiltern Railways offers an inside look at the process and the company’s team dynamic.
In this book, Adrian Shooter provides rare insight into one of the greatest successes in British Rail privatization. He discusses his strategic approach to the managed buyout of Chiltern Railways, as well as many of the ‘behind the scenes’ jobs which are essential to keeping the operation running.
Shooter demonstrates that a railway is, above all, a team effort. Every employee is just as important as the boss. Illustrated with copious photographs, this volume offers an engaging narrative of British transport at a time of great change. It also offers valuable insight into how today’s railways might be more efficiently organized and run.
Brought up in Surrey, Adrian joined British Railways as an Engineering Management Trainee in 1970. After twelve years managing various maintenance organisations, including helping to launch the HST service on the East Coast Mainline, he ran the first Driver Only passenger line in the UK. A spell running BR's express parcels company, Red Star, was followed by leading the creation of Train Operator, Rail Express Systems. This was excellent experience, which helped when he led a Management Buyout for Chiltern Railways, which went on to be one of the most successful Train Operating Companies. In 'retirement' he is still active in the Rail Industry.