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COTSWOLD LINE PROMOTION GROUP

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FirstGroup Plc announced some major changes to the management structure of its Great Western franchise on 19th August 2007.  These will bring the Company into line with other FirstGroup franchises.

The Managing Director of First Great Western (FGW), Alison Forster, leaves the Company to take up employment with FirstGroup Plc as its Rail Safety and Performance Director.  Alison took over from Chris Kinchin-Smith as Managing Director of FGW on 10th February 2004, after being its Operations and Safety Director since 1998.  She will be responsible for performance and safety matters throughout FirstGroup's rail division.

During her period as Managing Director of FGW, Alison had the daunting task of incorporating the Thames Trains franchise into the FirstGroup portfolio (as First Great Western Link, for which she was also Managing Director) and then being involved in FirstGroup's successful bidding process for the Greater Western franchise.

Alison's operational duties at FGW have been absorbed by FirstGroup's Managing Director Rail division, Andrew Haines, who has become Chief Operating Officer for FGW.  Andrew's history includes some 8 years with South West Trains, where he was Managing Director from 2000 to 2005, when he joined FirstGroup Plc. The CLPG looks forward to meeting Andrew in due course.

Item added on 26th September 2007.