SCOTRAIL boss Steve Montgomery is to step down in May, weeks after Dutch operator Abellio takes over the running of Scotland's trains.
Mr Montgomery, who has been managing director for ScotRail under First Group since 2009, will be replaced by South African Phil Verster, the current route managing director at Network Rail.
It comes just a week after Abellio unveiled its 'Day One' leadership team for the franchise, which it had said would "continue to be led" by Mr Montgomery.
The operator had stressed the need for "strong continuity" during the "highly disruptive process" of switching operators.
Abellio will take over from First Group on April 1 next week.
Dominic Booth, managing director of Abellio UK, said: "We are confident that Phil brings the requisite skills and experience to drive transformational change in order to deliver against our ambitious plans for the improvement of rail travel in Scotland."
Mr Verster, who speaks Dutch and Afrikaans as well as English, studied at Newcastle University and London Business School before entering the transport industry.
He worked for Irish Rail from 2007 until 2011, eventually becoming deputy chief executive. He moved to Network Rail in November 2011 where he has been responsible for running the London North East route, the second largest in the UK and which includes the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland.
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