About us

Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd

 

Since 1st April 2022, ScotRail services have been provided within the public sector by an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. This holding company is Scottish Rail Holdings Limited (SRH).

Scottish Rail Holdings is an organisation controlled by Scottish Ministers that has been set up with the express purpose of overseeing the governance of train operating companies under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

We act as the “owning group” of the operating company and provide separation between Transport Scotland as strategic policymakers and the direct management of train service delivery for ScotRail Trains (SRT).

Scottish Rail Holdings Board – Who’s Who

 

A number of roles have been created at Board level including a Chief Executive Officer, Finance Director, and a Rail Business Director.

David Lowrie is the Acting Chief Executive Officer of SRH.

David and his management team lead a small secretariat at SRH that is being established.

  • Richard Cairns

    Richard Cairns

    Chairperson

    Richard is Chair of the SRH Board, with overall responsibility to provide strategic leadership, direction, support, and guidance. He ensures that the Board delivers its functions correctly, in accordance with the aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers.

  • David Lowrie photo

    David Lowrie

    Chief Executive Officer

    David’s role is to provide oversight and strategic direction for SRH and its subsidiaries, ensuring that the organisations deliver on all aspects of the Framework Agreement and Grant Agreement. He reports directly to the SRH Board, reporting on the progress and performance of SRT on a periodic basis. He is the Accountable Officer for SRH. David chairs the board of ScotRail Trains Ltd.

  • John MacQuarrie

    John MacQuarrie

    Rail Business Director

    John is the overall custodian of all Grant Agreements and Framework Agreements that are in place with TS and subsidiary companies. He will ensure that SRH manages the subsidiary operations to deliver on their Grant Agreement obligations and responsibilities including optimising value for money, along with providing specialist guidance as required to the teams within the subsidiary. John will also ensure that SRH complies with its obligations under the Framework Agreement with Transport Scotland. John is a Statutory Director of SRH.

  • Roz Foyer

    Roz Foyer

    Non-Executive Director

    Roz brings an independent voice to ensure the Board is as effective as possible, with healthy challenge as appropriate. Roz provides an external and independent view on the running of the business, governance and best boardroom practice.

  • Brian Baverstock

    Brian Baverstock

    Non-Executive Director

    Brian is an independent member of the Board and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. He is a qualified accountant with a successful track record in driving strategic change and delivering improved services through partnership and collaborative working. He is also an independent consultant, specialising in governance and risk management.

  • Emma Dixon

    Emma Dixon

    General Counsel

    Emma leads the legal and corporate governance functions at SRH, advising the group and its subsidiary companies. Prior to joining SRH, Emma worked in senior in-house legal roles at a regulator and in the energy industry. She is passionate about the role of lawyers to influence and support a just transition to net zero carbon and creating a more sustainable future for all.

    Emma is a non-executive director of ScotRail Trains Limited and the vice-convenor of the Law Society of Scotland’s Sustainability Committee.

SRH Board Committees

Scottish Rail Holdings Limited Board (SRH)

Richard Cairns - Chair
David Lowrie
John MacQuarrie
Roz Foyer
Emma Dixon (SRH General Counsel)
Carolyn Griffiths
Brian Baverstock

Scotland’s Railway Alliance Board

David Lowrie - Chair
Andrew Haines
Alex Hynes
Richard Cairns
Joanne Maguire
Emma Dixon

Scottish Rail Holdings Limited Board Audit & Risk Committee

Brian Baverstock – Chair
Roz Foyer

Scottish Rail Holdings Nominations Committee

Brian Baverstock – Chair
Roz Foyer
Emma Dixon (SRH General Counsel)
Carolyn Griffiths
Richard Cairns

The obligations in this Agreement referred to for Abellio ScotRail Limited have transferred to ScotRail Trains Limited from 1st April, 2022.

ScotRail Trains Limited Board Safety, Health & Environment Committee

Committee Membership
Carolyn Griffiths - Chair
Alex Hynes
Joanne Macguire
David Lister
David Simpson

The Code of Conduct provides guidance to Scottish Rail Holdings Limited (SRH) Board Members on how they should carry out their duties, in line with accepted best practice

Salary publication

 

In line with the Scottish Government guidelines to disclose the names, job titles and salary details of senior management within Non-Departmental Public Bodies, the following information is provided and is accurate as of 30 December 2023.

Name Job title Annual Salary (£)
David Lowrie Chief Executive Officer £144,000*
John MacQuarrie Rail Business Director £90,000 - £95,000
Emma Dixon General Counsel £85,000 - £90,000*

*David Lowrie is part-time and contracted four days per week. Emma Dixon is also contracted four days per week. They do not receive any additional pay for additional time worked.