NATIONAL Express group has won the race for a prestigious rail route linking London and Scotland.
NXEC Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of National Express, and whose chief executive is Richard Bowker, a former pupil of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, has agreed to pay the Government £1.4billion for the East Coast mainline franchise.
The seven year contract will start on December 9.
Previous operator GNER who paid £1.3billion for a 10 year franchise had to give up the contract because it was unable to meet payments.
Mr Bowker began his transport career in 1989 as a graduate trainee on the London Underground after completing a degree in economics at Leicester University.
The Blackburn Rovers fan was also the former chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority.
He was on a shortlist of three to be the next chief executive of the Football Association before the position was given to Brian Barwick.
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