Ian Dawson appointed as Sales Director

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Dawson as Sales Director.

Ian is a Chartered Engineer and served 29 years in the army in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, including operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He will join in January 2026, after nine years at Hitachi where he has held senior operational and sales roles in the UK and North America.

Ian will primarily focus on the 135-acre Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire, which has been significantly enhanced with £75m of investment since 2021.

With the newly constructed electrified track due to commence operations early next year – the only continuous testing loop in the UK – the site provides a unique, off mainline location for the testing and commissioning of new electric and bi-mode fleets, as well as industry leading warm and tepid storage, maintenance and training facilities.

Stefan Rose, Chief Investment Officer at Porterbrook, said: “We’re looking forward to Ian joining the business, bringing his vast experience in strategic sales and customer engagement. This will ensure we are well positioned to seize new opportunities at Long Marston, and meet evolving customer needs as we embark on the next exciting phase of the site development.”

Ian Dawson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Porterbrook, an industry leading financier and proven innovator in asset management, digital solutions and sustainable technologies. It’s a true honour to help drive their mission to deliver a state-of-the-art facility at Long Marston to support a safer, more reliable and sustainable railway.”