Top rail executive joins Tyneside IT firm

Oct 1 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

LEADING rail industry operator Haydn Abbott has joined the board of Newcastle vehicle communications specialist Nomad Digital.

Mr Abbott, chief executive of train leasing company Angel Trains International, has been appointed non-executive director of Nomad, which has grown to become the world's leading supplier and operator of mobile IP communications to the rail industry.

Angel Trains International was set up to concentrate on continental train leasing business, following the sale of Angel Trains Group last year.

Mr Abbott was chairman of the Railway Industries Association from 2004 to 2006, was also deputy chairman of The Railway Forum and is now chairman of the Railway Sector Advisory Group.

He joins Nomad Digital as the company builds its global business providing broadband IP connectivity solutions to the rail industry. It installed the first ever rail broadband system on the UK's Brighton Express in 2005. The company owns and operates the passenger WiFi system on the UK's 680km London to Glasgow route and has recently announced an implementation on Norway's national rail network. Nomad is active in markets worldwide, including the US, the Middle East, Far East and Europe.

Nigel Wallbridge, founder and executive chairman of Nomad Digital said: "It is a measure of the progress that Nomad is making in its chosen markets that it has been able to attract an industry leader with the credentials of Haydn Abbott. The company is already benefiting from Haydn's experience and we are very proud that he has agreed to join our board.''

Mr Abbott said: "Nomad Digital is one of the most exciting companies in the communications sector. It has established itself as a leader in the field of mobile transport communications and continues to set the pace in terms of technological innovation and in understanding the demands of the international rail industry. I am delighted to join the board and look forward to helping the company develop further.''