Transport for London (TfL) has appointed Claire Mann, currently managing director of South Western Railway (SWR), as its new chief operating officer.
Ms Mann will take up the post previously occupied by Andy Lord, who became TfL's interim transport commissioner last year with the departure of Andy Byford and was given the post permanently this summer.
Mr Lord said: ‘Claire is an outstanding transport professional with deep experience of improving customer service.
Claire Mann
‘At a time when customer numbers continue to rise and we work to support London's post-pandemic recovery and attract new customers, Claire's customer focus and wide-ranging public transport industry background will play a vital role in our work.
'We are delighted to have her return to TfL in this key leadership position.’
Ms Mann said: ‘I am passionate about delivering an excellent customer experience across all of TfL's varied and vital services and helping TfL and London to prosper.'
TfL said Ms Mann will be responsible for ensuring that its directly operated and contracted services and operations are planned and managed effectively to provide a safe, efficient, reliable and high-quality service to customers at a crucial time for London's transport network.
The role will see her lead the planning and delivery of services on the Tube, Elizabeth Line, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) as well as the bus and tram networks, cable car and Santander Cycle Hire.
She will also have responsibility for the management of TfL roads and road infrastructure, policing and security of the transport network and TfL's regulation of the taxi and private hire industry.
Ms Mann was TfL’s director of bus operations between 2017 and 2021 and returns after three years at SWR, where she oversaw the introduction of a £1bn fleet of new trains and led the £26m modernisation of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight.
In more than two decades in the transport sector, she also held roles at DLR, Arriva Trains Wales, the former First Great Western (now GWR), and London Overground.
Glynn Barton, who has led TfL’s operations on an interim basis since October 2022, will continue as chief operating officer until Ms Mann joins at the end of March 2024.
