SOUTH West Trains (SWT) managing director, Christian Roth, has decided to step down after nearly a decade with the business.

Christian joined SWT in 2008 after heading up the UK rail business for manufacturer Siemens. A former fleet director at SWT, he became managing director of the franchise in February 2016.

Margaret Key, managing director of Stagecoach Supertram, has been appointed managing director of STW for the remainder of the current franchise which runs until summer 2017.

She has worked for Stagecoach since 2000, initially as HR director for SWT and then East Midlands Trains, before taking up the position as managing director of Stagecoach Supertram in 2012.

She was named one of the UK rail industry’s most inspirational women in the most recent Women in Rail survey.

Tim Bilby, currently Supertram’s head of finance and commercial, will become interim managing director of Stagecoach Supertram.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of Stagecoach Group’s UK Rail Division, said: “I would like to thank Christian for his contribution to the business over the past decade and wish him well for the future.

“Margaret is one of the most talented executives in the UK rail industry and is a tremendous role model and mentor for the next generation of young managers.

“She has real understanding of the fundamental role that our people play in delivering a successful railway for our customers every day. I would also like to congratulate Tim Bilby on his appointment at Stagecoach Supertram.”