Arriva, one of Europe’s largest passenger transport companies, has appointed Tom Joyner as managing director of Arriva Train Wales, which operates the Wales and Border franchise.

Tom is currently passenger services director for London Midland and will take up the post with Arriva on October 2.

He will take over from Ian Bullock, who is stepping down as managing director.

Tom Joyner said: “I am excited to be joining one of the largest businesses in Wales and to use my passenger services background to build on Arriva Train Wales’ partnership approach with the Welsh Government and Network Rail to drive continuous rail service improvements for passengers.”

He has more than 20 years’ experience in the rail industry. He joined London Midland in 2013 where, as passenger services director, he has been responsible for leading a team of 2,000 people to transform the 60 million passenger journeys made each year.

He was instrumental in London Midland being named as this year’s most improved organisation for customer service in Britain by the Institute of Customer Service.

Chris Burchell, Arriva’s MD for UK Trains, said: “We are really pleased that Tom has decided to join the Arriva team and continue our investment plan for passengers through the Wales and Borders franchise.”