Bosses of three firms that supply trains to UK railways made £3.5m last year
News Source
•Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:54:18 GMT
📰 What Happened
The chief executives of three companies that rent trains to Britain’s railways were paid a combined £3.5 million last year, while the firms paid almost £400 million to shareholders in dividends. Porterbrook paid its boss Mary Grant £1.44 million, Eversholt paid Mary Kenny £1.33 million, and Angel Trains paid Malcolm Brown £700,000. Their pay far outstrips the highest salaries elsewhere on the railway.
🔍 The Backstory
These firms, called rolling stock companies, lease trains to rail operators. Rail unions accused them of profiting at passengers’ expense and called for a levy on them. The figures came out as ministers announced a new plan for trains and said the government is considering owning trains directly through Great British Railways instead of renting them.
🎯 Why It Matters
The debate over train leasing affects fares, service quality and how much public money goes to private firms.
The chief executives of three companies that rent trains to Britain’s railways were paid a combined £3.5 million last year, while the firms paid almost £400 million to shareholders in dividends. Porterbrook paid its boss Mary Grant £1.44 million, Eversholt paid Mary Kenny £1.33 million, and Angel Trains paid Malcolm Brown £700,000. Their pay far outstrips the highest salaries elsewhere on the railway.
These firms, called rolling stock companies, lease trains to rail operators. Rail unions accused them of profiting at passengers’ expense and called for a levy on them. The figures came out as ministers announced a new plan for trains and said the government is considering owning trains directly through Great British Railways instead of renting them.
The debate over train leasing affects fares, service quality and how much public money goes to private firms.