Network Rail gets Wise counsel

6 October 2011

Suzanne Wise, general counsel for Premier Foods plc, will join Network Rail as general counsel early in the new year. She takes over from Hazel Walker, group company secretary, who left Network Rail at the end of September.

Chief executive, David Higgins said: “Suzanne joins us at a pivotal time when the company and the industry are undergoing a period of intensive change. Suzanne brings great experience from the FTSE 100 and 250, which will be invaluable in helping the executive drive the company forward to deliver a bigger, more reliable and affordable railway."

The new title of general counsel reflects a broader scope to the role that will encompass a new department - transparency, covering data protection, business ethics and access to information.

Ms Wise replaces Ms Walker after nine years with the company. Commenting on Ms Walker's contribution, David Higgins said: “Hazel will be greatly missed. She's been with Network Rail since its inception. Her insightful advice and guidance has been invaluable to the company and I wish her every success in the future.”

Notes:

Suzanne Wise joins Network Rail from Premier Foods Plc, the UK's leading food manufacturer, where she developed the company's first in-house legal function. As general counsel and company secretary, Ms Wise led a number of transformation projects at Premier, including making strategic improvements to its compliance and corporate governance processes, sits on Premier's group executive

Before joining Premier, Ms Wise was group head of legal for Gallaher Group Plc, a multinational tobacco company, where she developed the global legal function to support the company's growth and international expansion

Suzanne will join Network Rail early in the new year, reporting into Patrick Butcher, group finance director and will be a member of the company's group executive

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