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News

5 March 2024

Nexrail is pleased to announce several new C-level hires and internal promotions to the company's Executive Committee. With the backing of private equity firm InfraVia, the full-service locomotive leasing company is experiencing strong growth of its fleet. By the end of this year, Nexrail expects to have reached a fleet size of more than 120 operational locomotives.

Under the continued leadership of Executive Chairman Neil Bennett and CEO Luuk von Meijenfeldt, the enlarged Executive Committee will focus on delivering best-in-class service to a growing number of customers throughout Europe. Nexrail’s strategy consists of bringing to market, and providing full-service maintenance to innovative locomotives from multiple OEMs in order to meet the rapidly growing demand for modern shunting and mainline locomotives from train operators, rail construction companies and industrial clients. These senior appointments and additional hires across commercial, maintenance and corporate functions strengthen and expand Nexrail’s ability to execute on this strategy.

New Appointments

Kirsten Trost as Chief Financial Officer and Juliane Storm-Ohm as Chief Technology Officer
Nexrail is pleased to announce the appointment of Kirsten Trost as Chief Financial Officer. Kirsten has a multi decade experience in rail finance. She has worked with companies such as Greenbrier, Wascosa, AAE and GATX. She brings a wealth of expertise to Nexrail's financial management and strategic planning. Her proven leadership skills are expected to play a crucial role in Nexrail's financial management, as well as, its administration, reporting and structuring.

As recently announced, Nexrail is delighted to welcome Juliane Storm-Ohm as Chief Technology Officer. Ms. Storm-Ohm will also be the MD of Nexrail’s full-service maintenance company, LocMaint. She will be in charge of managing the maintenance programs of Nexrail’s fleet and will oversee from a technical and technology perspective the new orders and deliveries of Nexrail’s locomotive order book. Ms. Storm-Ohm brings in excess of 15 years of valuable railway experience from her previous role as COO at locomotive leasing company Northrail and various positions at rolling stock OEM Bombardier / Alstom and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

Promotions

In addition to the new appointments, Nexrail is pleased to announce several promotions within its leadership team:
- Sophie Langevin has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
- Michel Mink has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer.
- Mark Remie has been promoted to Chief Business Development Officer.
Sophie, Michel, and Mark have been with Nexrail since inception and have played crucial roles in Nexrail’s successful journey. These appointments reflect Nexrail's commitment to recognizing internal talent, fostering growth, and strategically positioning the company for the future.

“Nexrail is the fastest growing railway lessor in continental Europe having achieved a very successful market entry in 2021” said Neil Bennett, Executive Chairman of Nexrail. ”In line with our commitment to safety, quality and delivering sustainable growth, we are delighted to bring onboard seasoned rail professionals and promote internal high-achieving professionals to strengthen our Executive Committee. Under the leadership of Luuk von Meijenfeldt, the enlarged team covers the 360-degree agenda of a successful railway lessor. I am confident that this team is well positioned to deliver first class execution on our strategic plan.”

Luuk von Meijenfeldt, CEO of Nexrail, seconded by stating “I am delighted to announce the full set-up of our Executive Committee. We all feel privileged to welcome Juliane and Kirsten. I feel very enthusiastic about accelerating the journey
we started in 2021 with such a great team on my side. Our customers are already witnessing the superior quality of service of Nexrail's full service offering that our strengthened team is delivering. I am confident they will feel equally pleased to receive and operate an increasing number of modern cost- and emission-saving locomotives from us. We are now ready to gear up further.”