05 August 2026 •
GBR Anglia, which brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure, has announced the appointment of Alice Shimali as its new Communications Director.
GBR Anglia has strengthened its senior leadership with the appointment of Alice Shimali, currently c2c’s Head of Communications, as its new Communications Director. Alice’s appointment represents another significant step in GBR Anglia’s transition towards Great British Railways and follows the completion of the latest recruitment round for the Senior Leadership Team. Alice took up her new role on 3 August.
Alice, who has spent ten years in the rail industry, will lead the integrated railway’s communications function, bringing together internal communications, media, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and customer engagement into a single, joined‑up approach.
She will be accountable for protecting and enhancing reputation, supporting business priorities, and ensuring clear, consistent communication across a complex and evolving Anglia railway — including the transition to Great British Railways.
Before being appointed Communications Director at GBR Anglia, Alice served as Head of Communications at c2c Railway from 2022-2026, where she led major communications programmes, strengthened stakeholder relationships – with organisations including Essex Chambers of Commerce, local Councils and councillors, Southend United and various local charity and community partners – and delivered award‑winning colleague engagement initiatives.
Prior to this, Alice spent five years at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), serving latterly as Senior Public Relations Manager, leading the organisation’s PR function through the pandemic and shaping a more human, people‑focused tone of voice that underpinned a series of national, award‑winning campaigns.
Commenting, Rob Mullen, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at GBR Anglia, said:
“Alice brings a strong track record of delivering effective communications campaigns and colleague engagement programmes, building trusted relationships, and supporting strategic objectives across the sector.
“Our communications function will play a central ambassadorial role in ensuring GBR Anglia – and our transition to Great British Railways – is a genuine success, and I look forward to working with Alice and her wider communications team as we move forward in this exciting new era for the railway.”
Alice Shimali, added:
“I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be appointed Communications Director at GBR Anglia at what is a pivotal moment for Anglia and the wider rail industry.
“Our move towards Great British Railways represents a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to reshape how we communicate, collaborate and serve the communities we proudly support and serve every day.
“I am excited to build on the strong foundations already in place, strengthening and enhancing our relationships with colleagues, customers, partners and stakeholders across the Anglia route.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Anglia’s journey towards Great British Railways
Anglia’s integrated railway brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure.
This new structure is part of wider plans to create Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train closer together to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for customers and communities in Anglia.
The structure is designed to support closer operational coordination across infrastructure, train services and customer delivery.
Existing ticketing and customer arrangements remain unchanged, and customers will continue to see the current company identities as the railway transitions towards GBR.
The Anglia route serves a fast-growing region, connecting commuters, leisure travellers, ports, power stations and more, as well as Stansted and Southend airports.
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
About DFTO
- DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
- The group’s current train operating companies are: c2c, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and WM Trains (London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway).
- DFTO runs more than 8,500 services each weekday and delivers more than 660 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
Images
Featured Image: Alice Shimali next to a GBR Anglia train
Second Image: Alice Shimali