Hull Trains has boosted its senior team as the rail operator gears up for the arrival of its new £60m Paragon fleet.
Anne Somers has joined the company as commercial and customer experience director at a pivotal time for Hull Trains.
Her role will see her use customer feedback to shape the service provided to passengers, as well as maintain competitive ticket prices.
Hull Trains is in the coming weeks expected to roll out its £60m fleet of Hitachi trains, in what marks the start of a new era for the company.
Ms Somers said: “Hull Trains is a unique organisation which I’m proud to join, especially as we are rolling out our new Paragon fleet of Class 802s which will create 5,500 additional seats a week for passengers, once all five trains are in service.
“It’s a very exciting time for the organisation and the city of Hull and I’m proud to use my experience to help improve and enhance our customer experience.
“Throughout my career I’ve specialised in helping businesses, such as Yorkshire Building Society and national charity Step Change, really understand what their customers value, using intelligence and insight to better connect with customers.
“Hull Trains has an opportunity to stand out in the market once these new trains are in service and I’m excited to help strengthen the fantastic offering this business already has.”
Most Read
Ms Somers has brought to Hull Trains more than 25 years’ experience in customer experience.
Having gained a wealth of experience utilising customer feedback to influence the development of award-winning products in the financial services industry, and helping to double the size of a national debt charity, she is passionate about engaging customers and building brands through customer-led marketing strategies.
Louise Cheeseman, managing director at Hull Trains, said: “Anne’s experience is invaluable to Hull Trains as we focus on successfully rolling out our new fleet of trains.
“She brings an alternative perspective to the senior team which complements the expert operational and rail experience of the executive board.
“We’re aiming to be the first choice for people when they travel from Hull to London. I’m confident that our new trains will signal a significant new beginning, not only for the people in Hull travelling with us, but for the wider business.
“I’m very excited about the future of Hull Trains and what the future holds.”
Hull Trains’ Paragon Fleet is a £60m investment into five new engines which hopes to revolutionise travel between the city and London.
Don’t miss
The trains will be rolled out gradually in the coming weeks up to Christmas.
How to contact Phil Winter and Business Live
Business Live's Hull & East Yorkshire journalist is Phil Winter, also the business editor at the Hull Daily Mail and Hull Live.
You can follow Phil on Twitter @PhilWinterBiz, or on Linkedin by clicking .
Alternatively, email him on philip.winter@reachplc.com, or call 01482 315360.
Keep up to date with the latest business news in the Hull & Humber region here.
Follow @HumberBizEd and @businesslive on Twitter