 porterbrook the rolling stock owner and asset manager today announced the appointment of ben ackroyd as the companys first chief operating officer this board level role will see ben take strategic responsibility for all operational aspects of the business porterbrook owns a quarter of britains passenger trains is expanding its railfreight portfolio and has recently taken over the 135 acre test track and innovation centre at long marston in warwickshire ben will join porterbrook in spring 2022 from trenitalia c2c limited where he is currently managing director he brings a wealth of train operating and service delivery experience to his new position as coo acquired over 20 years in engineering and general management roles across the industry mary grant porterbrook ceo said i am delighted that ben has agreed to join us the williams shapps plan for rail and the creation of great british railways provide a unique opportunity for porterbrook to build on its reputation for collaboration innovation and customer focus bens first hand experience of senior operational roles will ensure that we continue supporting our passenger freight and infrastructure customers whilst swiftly responding to their emerging needs ben ackroyd coo designate said i am very excited to be joining porterbrook at a key time for our industry all of us need to evolve to embrace the opportunities that will be created by the formation of gbr i look forward to working with mary and her executive team to ensure that porterbrook remains absolutely focused on supporting our customers and the operating railway 