THE managing director of First Capital Connect will move to Southeastern when the FCC franchise ends in mid-September.

David Statham has been named as Southeastern's new managing director. He will replace Charles Horton, who is taking the reins at the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.

The appointment means that the two franchises have essentially swapped managing directors, and also involves a move for David from FirstGroup to Govia. He will take up the position on Monday 15 September.

Govia is a consortium of Go-Ahead Group and Keolis. Go-Ahead chief executive David Brown said: "I’m very pleased that after a comprehensive selection process David Statham will be joining The Go-Ahead Group. His commercial and operational expertise and experience will be a great asset for us.

"Southeastern is an important part of our rail portfolio and over the next few years we need to continue improving services for customers at the same time as being a key delivery partner for the Thameslink Programme upgrade work. David has proven success in leading complex railway change projects and improving customer satisfaction levels.”

David Statham added: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Southeastern at such a critical time and am looking forward to building on the firm foundations laid by the current management team.”

David had been with FCC since the franchise started, and before he became managing director last year he had been in charge of FCC's contribution to the Thameslink Programme.

Southeastern is currently in talks with the Department for Transport over a direct award contract extension which, if agreed, would leave Govia in control until 2018.