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The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) has this week appointed Lazard Brothers & Co and KPMG to provide financial advice and commercial support on a range of issues.
Linklaters were appointed principal legal advisers at the same time.
SSRA Chief Executive Mike Grant said : "I am pleased to announce these appointments. They will have a key role in advising and supporting the Authority on issues such as the re-negotiation of passenger rail franchises and the future strategic financing of the rail industry. All have been chosen following a rigorous pre-selection competition.
"Their appointment, following those of our own top executive team announced last month, means that we now have the main elements in place to start talks with train operators in the Autumn".
Note to Editors
The SSRA combines the roles of the British Railways Board (BRB) and Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF). These new appointments have been made formally by the BRB. Legislation is before Parliament which would abolish the position of Director of Passenger Rail Franchising and OPRAF and establish the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) as its successor body; the 'Shadow ' reference would then be dropped. The SSRA is headed by Sir Alastair Morton as Chairman with Mike Grant as Chief Executive and Franchising Director.
