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.”

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.

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.

City.Mobi

Also in Europe today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to London.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

London.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.