All change for railway expert

DENTON Hall head of railway law is leaving to take up the government-appointed post of rail regulator.

Tom Winsor, who is also a partner at Dentons' energy and infrastructure group, is expected to take a significant drop in salary when he takes over the u165,000 a year post on 5 July with a five-year contract.

Winsor, who was appointed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, has long been associated with the privatised railways.

He acted as chief legal adviser and general counsel to the rail regulator in 1993 and has advised train-operating companies such as Virgin Rail.

The position was previously held by Chris Bolt, who took over last November on a temporary basis after competition lawyer John Swift QC was sacked.

Prescott says the appointment is an attempt to "spring clean" the rail industry where one of Winsor's first tasks will be to review thoroughly Railtrack's investment programme.