Network Rail’s chief union negotiator Tim Shoveller is leaving the infrastructure owner to take up a new task in the freight sector.

He will become chief executive officer at Freightliner’s owner, the European division of US firm Genesee & Wyoming Inc., later this year.

Mr Shoveller began his railway career as a trainee driver and guard with British Rail in 1992. He moved on to various management posts in the following years, including as operations director at the franchise Midland Mainline. When the MML franchise, which had been owned by National Express, was won by Stagecoach in 2007, he joined the new operator East Midlands Trains as managing director.

He became well known for his insistence on punctual station departures, giving his despatch staff new ‘Acme Thunderer’ whistles and radio controlled watches to help them get trains departing on time. In March 2008, he said: ‘By on time, I mean exactly on time, not even a few seconds late.’

He moved on to become business development director at Virgin Trains, and then managing director of Stagecoach Rail Division.

He has most recently been managing director of Network Rail’s North West and Central region, and since last year has played a key part in negotiating with the rail unions.

He said: ‘I am thrilled to join G&W at such a pivotal time for low-carbon rail-freight logistics. My priority is to lead the team to optimise the core business for our customers and to drive growth in new markets in the UK and Europe. I look forward to building on the impressive work that is already underway.’

Until he joins G&W, its European operations will continue to be led by interim CEO Becky Lumlock and Jack Hellmann, who is chairman of G&W in the UK and continental Europe.