Swanage Railway appoints its first ever Chief Executive
It's aimed at 'future proofing' the heritage line
Swanage Railway volunteers have appointed their first ever chief executive, with the aim of developing and future proofing the Isle of Purbeck heritage line for generations to come.
Abbie King will be joining the Swanage Railway Company – which runs the heritage steam and diesel train service and undertakes other commercial activities for the Swanage Railway Trust charity – in the paid full-time role from March.
She's explained how she's feeling about the role:
“I am looking forward to coming back to Dorset and joining the established team at the Swanage Railway to help make sure the wonderful heritage line is future proofed for generations to come.”
Growing up in Dorset, Abbie comes to the Isle of Purbeck from the Shrewsbury Ark in Shropshire which is a charity helping homeless and vulnerable people.
Volunteer Swanage Railway Company chair Gavin Johns said:
“I am delighted to welcome Abbie King as our new chief executive. Abbie's wide breadth of experience is very relevant to the Swanage Railway and the way that it needs to develop to position itself for the future.
“Abbie's Dorset roots bring a vital perspective that will enable her to quickly establish relationships with staff, stakeholders and our visitors that will support the Swanage Railway's aims.
“The Swanage Railway is working hard to stabilise its business following the pandemic - and the effects of increased material and operating costs - to create a sustainable base for the future with 2024 trading being a positive step towards this aim.
“Part of our plans require the extra day to day support of a chief executive for the shaping and leading for our management team and staff – including our crucial volunteers - as they develop and deliver our ambitious plans.
“The newly created chief executive role focuses on developing the business so it delivers our charitable aims and business plans to establish the Swanage Railway as a living museum by bringing in new thinking and experience, continuing the improvement of railway management and focusing on investing to improve the experience for our valued visitors."
Growing up in Dorset, and with an interest in museums, Abbie studied travel and tourism at Weymouth College before studying business and finance at university.
Wanting to build a career in museums and heritage, Abbie worked at Weymouth Museum before moving to Merlin Entertainments within its Sea Life brand.
She then worked for the Lulworth Estate and as the visitor services manager for the Tank Museum at Bovington near Wareham.
A role as the director of the Shire Hall historic courthouse museum in Dorchester followed, before she became chief operating officer at the Ironbridge Gorge museums.