University of Stirling’s Iain Docherty chairs Scottish Rail board

Transport expert is the new Chair to the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings.

passengers at train station
Scotland’s Railway has a key role to play in supporting the economy, says Professor Iain Docherty.

Transport expert and University of Stirling Professor Iain Docherty is the new Chair to the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings. 

Professor Docherty will take up his role from February 4 at the Scottish Government company, which owns ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.  

Professor Docherty is Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Professor of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Stirling. He has worked with a range of private sector, governmental and other organisations on transport, economic development and related issues across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, including the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  

He is a Director of the National Transport Authority of Ireland (NTA), and Chairperson of the NTA’s Capital Programmes Committee. Other key public appointments include Deputy Chair of the Glasgow Connectivity Commission and external member of several government boards and working groups. He also holds Fellowships of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Geographical Society and the Institution of Civil Engineers. 

Separately, Professor Docherty has just been appointed as External Committee Member of the Scottish Funding Council’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.

man smiling
Iain Docherty
Professor of Public Policy and Governance
Scotland’s Railway has a key role to play in supporting the economy and ensuring a fair transition to net zero. The sector has faced significant challenges since Covid but has a bright future.

Professor Docherty said: “Scotland’s Railway has a key role to play in supporting the economy and ensuring a fair transition to net zero. The sector has faced significant challenges since Covid but has a bright future. I look forward to leading the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings in its work to ensure ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper deliver the best possible service and even greater public value in the years to come.” 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: "I am pleased to welcome Iain Docherty to Chair the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings. Iain brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the transport sector. 

“I look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership of our publicly owned train operators, which are so important to people, communities and the economy in Scotland.”