Patrick Butcher, Network Rail group finance director, has been appointed chief finance officer of Go-Ahead Group and will leave Network Rail in the New Year.

Patrick joined Network Rail in 2009. Before that, he held finance director roles at English, Welsh & Scottish Railways, Mapeley Limited, London Underground and Kings College Hospital. His early career was spent at Deloitte & Touche as a management consultant and auditor.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “On behalf of Network Rail colleagues, I would like to thank Patrick for his service to our company over seven years. I personally want to thank him for his untiring support to me and for helping us to successfully navigate the transition into the public sector last year.”