ARRIVA Rail North has a new managing director in the form of Northern transport leader David Brown.

David is currently chief executive of Transport for the North and will take up his new position at Arriva in September.

He will succeed Alan Chaplin who has been acting managing director since February.

With more than 25 years of experience within private and public sectors of transport, David will lead Arriva Northern’s 5,500 employees.

He is also tasked with driving forward Arriva’s plans to modernise rail travel for passengers in the north.

Plans include providing an extensive investment programme with new and refurbished trains, extra services, a 37 per cent increase in peak time capacity and a variety of station and ticketing improvements.

David said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Arriva at such an exciting time, with the opportunity to help transform the rail services of the north through the Northern franchise.

“I am very much looking forward to leading the business and seeing that investment bear fruit through improved services, capacity and stations for passengers.”

David will bring experience of transport across the north to his new role.

Over the last two years, he has directed the establishment of Transport for the North and delivery of the Northern Strategic Transport Plan.

Arriva CEO Manfred Rudhart said: “David’s wealth of experience in the rail and transport sector, particularly in the north of England, makes him perfectly placed to help us achieve our vision of transforming travel services for our passengers in the region.

“As we look to strengthen our role in developing the North of England’s transport infrastructure, David will be instrumental in not only fostering the development of Arriva employees, but delivering value for our customers and the communities we serve.”