Londonlines Communications Guru joins

Mike Lamport, Head of Communications at National Express's Londonlines business (which manages c2c and Silverlink) is to sit on the Department for Transport's Railway Heritage Committee.

Mike, 58, who has been with Londonlines since April 2005, following a stint in consultancy, has accepted an invitation from the Secretary of State for Transport to sit on the committee that was originally set up back in 1968 to secure the preservation of artifacts and documentary evidence which are significant to the railway.

In fact it is a case of vintage meets heritage as the start of Mike's railway career predates the founding of the Railway Heritage Trust. Joining what was the Southern Region in 1964, Mike stayed with the railway for nearly a quarter of a century before leaving in 1988 to try something different - The Construction Industry Training Board. But - once a railwayman always a railwayman and 1990 saw Mike back in familiar harness as Head of Communications at Wagn. From 2002 Mike spent a while in consultancy while things at the London Train Operating Companies (TOC) settled down but in April 2005 he was back.

Mike was delighted to be appointed as the TOC representative on the Railway Heritage Committee. I have always been passionate about preserving aspects of the railway which tell the story of one of the most dramatic influences on the history of the nation. At a time when there are so many changes I think it is important to understand how the railways started, the developments over the years and why the rail network is still important today. It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to serve on this august committee and I hope that, in return my long experience over a period of time that has seem some dramatic changes in the life of the railway, is one of the contributions I can bring to the role.

Commenting on Mike's appointment Londonlines Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: Mike is a tremendously committed and knowledgeable railwayman who understands the value of preserving our wonderful railway heritage. I am delighted that the Secretary of State has asked him to represent the industry on this important committee.

Mike also serves on the Committee of the National Railway Heritage Awards charity.