Consumer champion appointed to First Great Western Board

 Consumer champion and business leader Charles Howeson has been appointed as a non executive Director of train company First Great Western.

A regular traveller with First Great Western and a high profile businessman and entrepreneur in the West of England, Charles brings a wealth of experience and skills to the position.

For the past six years he has been acting as a consumer champion for the postal service, serving as a member of the National Consumer Council for Postal Services (PostWatch) and Chairman of its South and West Regional networks.   For the last year he has also been a ‘watchdog’ of the water industry as a member of the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) and Chairman of its Western region. 

“I see myself as a voice of the stakeholder and customer,” said Charles. “First Great Western has a good reputation for listening to its customers and stakeholders and I like that in a company, however there is always a challenge in communicating with such a diverse audience which is spread over a wide geographical area, and I believe that I can help with that, using my experience as consumer watchdog for the postal and water services coupled to extensive business knowledge.  

“I look forward to the challenge that this appointment will bring. This is a time of progressive improvement for FGW as the new and much enlarged franchise beds in. The company has recognised the problems experienced by its customers and is working hard to address those within its control, however, unfortunately, many are not of its making, and in addition it has to cope with some unique difficulties associated with our region’s infrastructure.     

“A good railway is vital to the economy of the whole western region of the UK as I know only too well having led the city’s Business Community for the last four years during which time we have been laying out Plymouth’s long term economic strategy.   “I want to be a part of this dynamic company at the beginning of its journey as the new franchise holder and as it shapes our region’s rail network for the future, and I hope and firmly believe that I can make a real contribution in terms of helping to grow and develop the business.”  

Sir Chay Blyth, Chairman of First Great Western, said: “We are delighted to welcome Charles to our top team and we will welcome his input, enthusiasm and support. We believe that he can bring real benefits and help us to continue, and to improve our policy of open and honest dialogue with our customers and stakeholders.”  

Biographical details
Charles Howeson, 57, initially served for nearly 25 years in the Royal Navy at home, overseas and afloat, which included secondment to government departments and to other national governments. In the mid 1990s, he set up on his own and established a successful property company which was followed by founding a retailing, wholesaling and distribution company group that became a significant retained contractor to the Government.  

Amongst other current appointments he is currently a member of the National Consumer Council with oversight of the Water Industry and also chairs its Western Region.   In the private sector his current lead appointment is as Chairman of the Rowe Group, one of the largest private company groups based in the South West. He is also an executive trustee of large rural estates holdings in both Devon and Wiltshire.  

He has recently handed over the leadership of the Plymouth Business Community having chaired the Chamber of Commerce Council for four busy years, and holds a wide range of voluntary and community sector appointments and non executive positions in business.  

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