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Trainline boss stepping down ‘to spend more time with family’

Trainline chief executive Clare Gilmartin is to step down in the new year for personal reasons to be succeeded by chief operating officer Jody Ford. 

Gilmartin is to leave the online rail and coach ticketing platform at the end of February but will remain involved as a senior advisor.

She will support the management team and industry partners “in continuing to drive industry digitisation and long-term growth”.

Ford was previously chief executive at Photobox Group, which encompassed the Moonpig and Photobox brands, and led global growth at eBay.  

Gilmartin said: “The decision to step down next year is a personal one; after seven years at the helm the time has come for me to spend more time with my family. 

“I am immensely proud of our progress over the last several years – including driving the advancement of digital ticketing and the customer shift online, our international expansion and our track record for meeting and exceeding expectations, particularly in our first year as a public company. 

“I work alongside an amazing team, who I know will continue this strong performance, innovating for customers and driving growth for the industry.”

Company chair Brian McBride said: “I would like to thank Clare for her outstanding leadership during her time as our CEO.  

“During her tenure, she has led the business through a period of rapid growth and expansion across Europe and steered the company through a successful IPO. 

“I am very pleased she will continue to bring her extensive knowledge and industry experience to Trainline in her role as a senior advisor.”

Ford added: “I joined Trainline because I believe it is a tech innovator with huge growth potential and a purpose that is central to its business: to encourage greener travel choices. 

“I am very much looking forward to bringing my digital experience to bear as CEO and continuing Trainline’s focus on working with the rail and coach industry to make travel as easy and friction-free as possible for millions of customers in Europe and beyond.”

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