FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO FUTURE PROOF THE SWANAGE RAILWAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Story by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.

Progressive Swanage Railway volunteers have appointed their first 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 Monday, 17 March, 2025.

A delighted Abbie said: “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.

As the Shrewsbury Ark’s charity director, Abbie developed the charity’s business, board and mission as well as creating financial systems and supporting staff with their development.

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,” added Gavin Johns who is a volunteer signalman on the Isle of Purbeck heritage line.

Volunteer Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts explained: “I look forward to working with Abbie as the Swanage Railway Company’s new chief executive and welcoming her to the Swanage Railway family which has achieved so much across the generations, and against the odds, since the heritage line started to be rebuilt in 1976.

“Abbie’s role is crucial and part of an important plan to take the Swanage Railway to the next stage in its development – bringing in new and fresh ideas to increase our income so we can achieve an enhanced heritage experience for our train passengers.

“There is so much the Swanage Railway can achieve to develop its current operation. Abbie’s appointment, as our new chief executive, will bring fresh ideas and an injection of experience and energy at the top of the Swanage Railway Company’s management team,” added Frank who has been a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer for 40 years.

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.

Working at the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth led to a new challenge working for the Lulworth Estate in the Isle of Purbeck where Abbie managed commercial interests at Lulworth Cove.

From 2012, Abbie was the visitor services manager for the Tank Museum at Bovington near Wareham where she helped to increase the number of visitors and commercial activity while keeping the integrity of the museum’s mission.

Abbie later became the assistant director of the Shire Hall historic courthouse museum in Dorchester before taking on the role of director at the museum in 2020 where she created a profitable museum while keeping its missions of learning and being a social justice hub.

In 2023, Abbie moved to the midlands to take on the role of chief operating officer at the Ironbridge Gorge museums where she worked with a large and effective team caring for some of the world’s most important industrial heritage sites.

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email [email protected]. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.